I think fast track is a done deal. Personally, I hope they slaughter Hillary and the horse she rode in on. Grover Norquist may be crazy, but he ain't no fool. Time to make the Democrats pay.

So what if we sign this treaty and decide to tell the countries and corps to kiss off at some later date? Contracts, treaties, and agreements are reneged on all of the time. Even if you lose in court, somebody has to make you pay up. How insane the US is.

incremental maneuver, IMO.

Consider Pelosi Dear Colleague to Members from her official Press Release website:

Dear Democratic Colleague,

The overwhelming vote today is a clear indication that it’s time for Republicans to sit down with Democrats to negotiate a trade promotion authority bill that is a better deal for the American people.

The prospects for passage of a such a bill will greatly increase with the passage of a robust highway bill. (My paragraphing for emphasis.)

We look forward to working in a bipartisan way for a trade promotion authority bill that has better transparency, more consultation with Congress and stronger protections for Congressional priorities – especially labor rights and the environment. Such a proposal was put forward by our Ranking Member Sandy Levin in committee, but was denied the respect of even being allowed a vote.

Looking forward, it is important we come together to achieve the best possible trade agenda to promote growth, create jobs and increase the paychecks of American workers. . . .

IOW, looking back on Van Hollen's C-Span interview (and Grover Norquist's interview) the Dem Party's strategy is to lift the cap on the sequester, every chance they get.

So, I'm reading this as they've decided that they would rather trade the 700 million (or 800 million, or whatever--sorry, don't recall the exact figure) dollars in Medicare cuts for infrastructure funding--Pelosi references the Highway Bill--in lieu of funding for the TAA, which benefits just some workers who are adversely affected by the passage of the TPP, down the line.

Notice Pelosi's reference to "to achieve the best possible trade agenda to promote growth, create jobs and increase the paychecks of American workers." Certainly, Dems constantly push for this Bill--citing job creation, economic growth, etc.

And to achieve this goal, they must be willing to trade cuts to entitlements--especially, Medicare and Social Security--which is non-discretionary spending, for discretionary (sequestered) monies, or funding.

This would be in keeping with the "Pay-Go Rule" (pay-as-you-go) instituted by Democrats some years ago.

Naturally, they might be reluctant to 'say this out loud,' since they look to Labor so heavily for funding and GOTV efforts. Not to mention other staunch Dem Party interest groups (their term, not mine) like seniors' lobbies/organizations.

See Pelosi touts Democrats' revival of 'pay-as-you-go' budget rules.

As much as I'd love to believe that Democrats are sincere in wanting to indefinitely stall/defeat the TPP, I truly can't imagine that neoliberals in either Party would allow this.

This major trade pact, along with the ACA, and achieving much of the Grand Bargain [piecemeal], will likely be the shining crown of PBO's legacy.

Mollie