A raging battle over President Barack Obama's request for fast-track authority, seen as central to improving U.S. ties with Asia, will resume in the House of Representatives in the coming week, when lawmakers are expected to try to reverse Friday's defeat of linchpin trade legislation.
House Democrats disregarded Obama's personal pleas and teamed up with Republicans to overwhelmingly defeat a program that helps American workers who lose their jobs as a result of trade deals.
Supporters were heartened, however, when the House narrowly approved a separate measure to give Obama fast-track authority to negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. But the legislation is stuck in the House because of the defeat that Obama and House Speaker John Boehner suffered on the first vote.