Nike Visit Roils Trade Debate
Puzzlement over Obama's planned TPP stump speech at Nike HQ. HuffPost: "Nike, which is regarded as a pioneer in overseas outsourcing, has a long and checkered labor history in Vietnam ... Nike has helped make significant safety improvements in factories ... but wages in Vietnam are still extremely low, and the government has a poor track record of enforcing labor laws ... As The Huffington Post has previously reported, Vietnam has been resisting higher labor standards in the trade deal, and U.S. officials have acknowledged the country has a long way to go on worker rights."
"Bernie Sanders criticizes Obama's planned Nike visit" reports LAT: "Sanders said the shoe giant, which has moved many of its manufacturing jobs to cheaper markets overseas, only epitomizes how previous trade deals 'have failed American workers.' ... Sanders said TPP would 'do nothing to encourage Nike to create one manufacturing job in this country,' and would only boost its executives' compensation."
Obama lobbies Senate Dems at the White House. Politico: "The lawmakers in attendance included Democrats who are undecided on [fast track.] ... Its immediate fate is uncertain after Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he would move to block the bill until Republicans take up two other pressing matters addressing government surveillance and highway funding ... Reid has insisted he won’t block the bills permanently — he probably couldn’t even if he wanted to, because seven Democrats already are on record in favor of the fast-track legislation. But there is worry among pro-trade Democrats that a failed procedural vote would give liberals and labor groups more time to mobilize and attack them as turncoats."
While WH aides snipe at Warren. Politico: "...administration officials are at odds over how aggressively to take her on, knowing that a sustained attack would only arouse her supporters in the progressive and labor movements ... in private, administration officials fume in much more colorful terms over Warren’s attacks, calling them 'baseless' and 'desperate,' with 'no bearing or relation to anything we are doing.'"
Sen. Patty Murray backs fast track. The Hill: "It’s a delicate situation for Murray, given her interest in running for Democratic whip after the 2016 elections and the fact that two-thirds of the Democratic caucus opposes fast-track. Nearly 40 percent of Washington state’s jobs are tied to exports, according to local business leaders, and she doesn’t want to play with fire when she’s facing reelection next year."
Mike Huckabee begins presidential campaign attacking fast track. NYT quotes: “I know some people are saying the only thing that matters are corporate profits. I’d like to think the United States government would stand up for United States workers rather than let them take it in the backside and have to tough it out because somebody got wealthy at their expense.’’
"Will GOP attack Dems on trade?" asks The Hill: "Attacking Democrats for supporting trade would put the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) in an awkward position, considering how hard GOP leaders are pushing Democrats to get on board ... [But] there remains the potential for Republican challengers in blue-collar districts to go after Democratic trade supporters, both for killing U.S. jobs and empowering a president that conservatives simply don’t trust."
US automakers unimpressed by TPP. CNN: "If the TPP is passed, Obama argues, more Ford Mustangs and Chevy pick-ups will be cruising the streets of Japan ... [But the] trade group representing the big three U.S. automakers argues the TPP fails to address Japan's potential to use currency manipulation to drive up the costs of American cars."
Clinton Hints At Support For Debt-Free College
Clinton campaign manager touts "debt-free college." Politico: "Robby Mook’s declaration [on CNBC] — 'What voters are looking for in this election is someone who’s going to be a champion for everyday people, for young people that’s debt-free college...' — stopped short of an endorsement ... but it sent a message to progressive activists..."
Sanders introduces bill to break up banks. The Hill: "His legislation would require federal regulators to determine which financial institutions pose a risk to the economy thanks to their size and complexity, and give those firms a simple message: Break yourselves up, or the government will do it for you."
"Bernie Sanders brings in $3 million in four days" reports HuffPost: "The campaign has received roughly 75,000 contributions, and the average amount is $43. According to a campaign adviser, 99.4 percent of the donations have been $250 or less, and 185,000 supporters have signed up on the website BernieSanders.com."
Breakfast Sides
No deal in sight as highway trust fund deadline looms. The Hill: "There’s little doubt among lawmakers that some sort of highway funding extension will materialize before the May 31 deadline, be it through July, September or the end of the year ... But the debate over how long of a patch to offer ... underscore[s] how difficult it will be for Congress and the White House to craft a long-term infrastructure package ... [Sen. Orrin] Hatch hasn’t said much about the plan he’s working on to find highway funding. But he’s been clear that he doesn’t like a proposal from Boxer and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) that would allow corporations to bring back offshore profits at a lower rate outside of a wider tax overhaul."
NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposes wage hike for fast-food workers. W. Post: "...after failing to get the Legislature to raise the minimum wage statewide through the regular process [Cuomo] says he can do it by appointing a 'Wage Board,' determining its direction, and modifying the recommendations it comes up with as he sees fit. New York is among a few states in which governors have the power to raise wages on their own, and they've done it before."
