It was passed by the SFC, on 22 April, by a bipartisan vote of 20 to 6, and by Ways and Means last night (23 April), by a bi-partisan vote of 25 to 13.
Commenting on the announcement, NCBA president Philip Ellis said: "We appreciate the House Ways and Means Committee’s efforts to pass this legislation following Senate passage last evening. As we have repeatedly stated, trade is critical to the success and future profitability of our industry and TPA is critical to negotiating future free trade agreements. Cattlemen urge swift passage of this legislation by the full House and Senate.
"Trade Promotion Authority gives our negotiators and trading partners a clear signal to negotiate the best deal for our products, knowing it will receive an up or down vote in Congress."
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) had also been urging Congress to pass the TPA legislation. Last month it told GlobalMeatNews that the "TPA helps the US pork industry by ensuring that free trade agreements can more easily be approved", which is vital to producers.
Following the news that the legislation had been approved by the SFC, Nick Giordano, vice president and international trade counsel for the NPPC, told GlobalMeatNews: "NPPC is very pleased that the Senate Finance Committee approved TPA legislation that will help the United States finalize free trade agreements, which boost US exports that create US jobs and improve our economy. We need TPA to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would be the biggest commercial opportunity ever for the US pork industry.
"We urge the full Senate to expeditiously take up and pass the TPA bill."