"The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday reversed course, approving "fast-track" legislation central to President Barack Obama's trade deal with Pacific Rim nations and sending it back to the Senate.

The close vote in the House, which last week rejected a related bill, kept alive Obama's goal of bolstering U.S. ties with Asia through a 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the economic element of a foreign policy shift aimed in part at countering the rising influence of China.

The House voted 218-208 to give Obama the fast-track authority to speed trade deals, including the TPP, to conclusion with reduced interference from Congress. The TPP would encompass 40 percent of the global economy and is close to completion."

Krista Hughes and Richard Cowan report for Reuters June 18, 2015. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"House Sends Trade Bill Back to Senate in Bid to Outflank Foes" (New York Times) [3]

"Obama Trade Bill Passes House as Senate Now Controls Fate" (Bloombeerg) [4]