Senate vote advances Trade Promotion Authority The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French today following the Senate vote advancing consideration of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act, which would renew Trade Promotion Authority: “The retail industry welcomes today’s vote on Trade Promotion Authority and hopes it is a harbinger of congressional support for free and open trade. As our Trade Matters report shows, international trade is good for business, consumers, families and workers, and supports nearly 7 million restaurant and retail jobs here in the United States. “TPA’s combination of increased congressional authority and oversight and a new procedural framework for consideration of trade agreements makes it far more likely that measures such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will become law. TPA is essential to tearing down the barriers to trade that drive up prices for consumers and limit export and import opportunities for businesses. “We praise the Senate on this bipartisan vote and victory.”