Obama Thanks Congress For Giving Him Fast-Track Trade Authority

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama praised members of Congress on Tuesday for granting "fast-track" trade authority, which will allow him to negotiate a trade deal with 11 Pacific countries that Congress will then only review with an up or down vote.

"I applaud the Democrats and Republicans in Congress who came together to give the United States the chance to negotiate strong, high-standard agreements for free and fair trade that protect American workers and give our businesses the opportunity to compete," Obama said in a statement.

The legislation faced a rocky path to Obama's desk. Democrats in both chambers successfully stalled the measure before the Senate sent the legislation to Obama's desk on Wednesday. Critics of the deal say that it is shrouded in secrecy, would cost Americans jobs, and would reward countries with poor human rights and environmental records. Obama accused members of his own party of misleading the public and has said that the deal is "the most progressive framework for trade" that the United States has ever had.

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Obama also lauded Congress for sending him legislation on Thursday to provide assistance to workers who lose their jobs as a result of foreign competition. Democrats voted against that measure earlier this month because it was coupled with fast-track authority, but approved it on Thursday when it was included as part of a bill to provide trade benefits to countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

"Of course, we still have more work to do on behalf of our workers, which is why I'll continue to encourage Congress to pass robust trade enforcement legislation that will help us crack down on countries that break the rules," Obama said.

Pure Joy

Rep.-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) reacts after drawing the No. 4 chip during the New Member Orientation Room Lottery Draw for office space at the Capitol on Dec. 1, 2016.
Rep.-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) reacts after drawing the No. 4 chip during the New Member Orientation Room Lottery Draw for office space at the Capitol on Dec. 1, 2016.

Dabbing

Rep.-elect Anthony Brown (D-Md.) strikes a dab pose during the New Member Orientation Room Lottery Draw for office space at the Capitol on Dec. 1, 2016. Brown drew No. 34.
Rep.-elect Anthony Brown (D-Md.) strikes a dab pose during the New Member Orientation Room Lottery Draw for office space at the Capitol on Dec. 1, 2016. Brown drew No. 34.

Pelosi Victory

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks to the media after winning the House Democratic leadership election on Nov. 30, 2016.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks to the media after winning the House Democratic leadership election on Nov. 30, 2016.

Kaine Returns

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) arrives in the Capitol for the Senate Democrats' policy lunch on Nov. 16, 2016, after returning from the campaign trail.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) arrives in the Capitol for the Senate Democrats' policy lunch on Nov. 16, 2016, after returning from the campaign trail.

New Leadership

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) leaves after the weekly Senate Democratic policy luncheon at the Capitol on Nov. 16, 2016. Schumer was elected as the incoming Senate minority leader in the morning.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) leaves after the weekly Senate Democratic policy luncheon at the Capitol on Nov. 16, 2016. Schumer was elected as the incoming Senate minority leader in the morning.

Senate Visit

Sen.-elect Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is surrounded by reporters who were questioning Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) after the Senate Democratic Caucus leadership elections in the Capitol on Nov. 16, 2016.
Sen.-elect Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is surrounded by reporters who were questioning Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) after the Senate Democratic Caucus leadership elections in the Capitol on Nov. 16, 2016.

Renominating Ryan

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is seen at a press conference at the Capitol on Nov. 15, 2016, after he was renominated by his conference to hold the position in the upcoming Congress.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is seen at a press conference at the Capitol on Nov. 15, 2016, after he was renominated by his conference to hold the position in the upcoming Congress.

Just The Hats For The Job

Make America Great Again hats sit on chairs before the start of a morning Republican event at the Capitol on Nov. 15, 2016.
Make America Great Again hats sit on chairs before the start of a morning Republican event at the Capitol on Nov. 15, 2016.

National Debt

As the number of the current U.S. national debt is seen on a screen, Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen testifies during a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee on Sept. 28, 2016, on Capitol Hill.
As the number of the current U.S. national debt is seen on a screen, Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen testifies during a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee on Sept. 28, 2016, on Capitol Hill.

Hanks

Tom Hanks attends the launch of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's "Hidden Heroes" campaign at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center on Sept. 27, 2016, in Washington, D.C.
Tom Hanks attends the launch of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's "Hidden Heroes" campaign at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center on Sept. 27, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

Wide-Eyed

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) speaks during a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs hearing, "Fifteen Years After 9/11: Threats to the Homeland," on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 27, 2016.
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) speaks during a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs hearing, "Fifteen Years After 9/11: Threats to the Homeland," on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 27, 2016.

'Doug Stamper' On The Job

Actor Michael Kelly, who plays Doug Stamper on "House of Cards," take a selfie with a fan in the Capitol while on the Hill advocating for the Older Americans Act on Sept. 21, 2016.
Actor Michael Kelly, who plays Doug Stamper on "House of Cards," take a selfie with a fan in the Capitol while on the Hill advocating for the Older Americans Act on Sept. 21, 2016.

Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump (center), daughter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, meets with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and other women GOP members of Congress at the Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill on Sept. 20, 2016.
Ivanka Trump (center), daughter of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, meets with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and other women GOP members of Congress at the Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill on Sept. 20, 2016.

Rotunda Stroll

San Suu Kyi, state counsellor of Myanmar, and Frank Larkin, Senate sergeant-at-arms, walk through the Capitol Rotunda between meetings with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate leaders on Sept. 15, 2016.
San Suu Kyi, state counsellor of Myanmar, and Frank Larkin, Senate sergeant-at-arms, walk through the Capitol Rotunda between meetings with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate leaders on Sept. 15, 2016.

Quacky Day

Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) speaks with reporters as he leaves the House Republican Conference meeting with GOP nominee for Vice President Mike Pence at the Capitol Hill Club as a man in a duck costume stands behind him on Sept. 13, 2016. The unidentified man in the costume holds a sign calling on Donald Trump to release his tax returns.
Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) speaks with reporters as he leaves the House Republican Conference meeting with GOP nominee for Vice President Mike Pence at the Capitol Hill Club as a man in a duck costume stands behind him on Sept. 13, 2016. The unidentified man in the costume holds a sign calling on Donald Trump to release his tax returns.

Back With Congress

From left, U.S. Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence joins House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) for a news conference following a weekly policy meeting at the Republican headquarters on Capitol Hill on Sept. 13, 2016, in Washington, D.C. 

Push For Banning Assault Weapons

Rep. Jerrold Nadler joins members of MoveOn.org and other members of Congress at an event to demand that Congress renew an assault weapons ban. They delivered more than 1 million signed petitions to the Capitol on July 12, 2016.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler joins members of MoveOn.org and other members of Congress at an event to demand that Congress renew an assault weapons ban. They delivered more than 1 million signed petitions to the Capitol on July 12, 2016.

Attorney General Testifies

Attorney General Loretta Lynch is sworn in before giving testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on July 12, 2016.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch is sworn in before giving testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on July 12, 2016.

Black Lives Matter

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), center, marches with a group of demonstrators from Capitol Hill to The White House on July 7, 2016. Protesters gathered in Washington in response to the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), center, marches with a group of demonstrators from Capitol Hill to The White House on July 7, 2016. Protesters gathered in Washington in response to the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

FBI Testimony

FBI Director James Comey testifies before the House Oversight Committee on the agency's investigation into Hillary Clinton's email system on July 7, 2016.
FBI Director James Comey testifies before the House Oversight Committee on the agency's investigation into Hillary Clinton's email system on July 7, 2016.

Protest For Gun Reform

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wears a rainbow armband as she attends a news conference accompanied by members of the House Democratic Caucus to call on House Speaker Paul Ryan to allow a vote on gun violence prevention legislation on June 22, 2016.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wears a rainbow armband as she attends a news conference accompanied by members of the House Democratic Caucus to call on House Speaker Paul Ryan to allow a vote on gun violence prevention legislation on June 22, 2016.

Democrats' Sit-In

A photo shot and tweeted from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. House Rep. Katherine Clark shows Democratic members of the House staging a sit-in on the House floor "to demand action on common sense gun legislation" on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 22, 2016.
A photo shot and tweeted from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. House Rep. Katherine Clark shows Democratic members of the House staging a sit-in on the House floor "to demand action on common sense gun legislation" on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 22, 2016.

India In The House

Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan look on as India Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledges applause as he arrives to address a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 8, 2016.
Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan look on as India Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledges applause as he arrives to address a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 8, 2016.

Hollywood On The Hill

Actress Helen Mirren testifies before a joint Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing to discuss legislation to "facilitate the return of stolen artwork by the Nazis during the Holocaust" on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 7, 2016.
Actress Helen Mirren testifies before a joint Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing to discuss legislation to "facilitate the return of stolen artwork by the Nazis during the Holocaust" on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 7, 2016.

Subway Servicing

Capitol crews work to restore service to the Senate subway line running to the Russell Senate Office Building on May 17, 2016. The trains were out of service as senators made their way to the Capitol for the weekly Senate policy luncheons.
Capitol crews work to restore service to the Senate subway line running to the Russell Senate Office Building on May 17, 2016. The trains were out of service as senators made their way to the Capitol for the weekly Senate policy luncheons.

Rally By The Reflecting Pool

Bunny Woloszczak of Hurleyville, New York, places a protest sign near the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool as part of a "We The People Rally" to bring awareness about Lyme disease May 19, 2016, in Washington, D.C.
Bunny Woloszczak of Hurleyville, New York, places a protest sign near the U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool as part of a "We The People Rally" to bring awareness about Lyme disease May 19, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

Fighting Addiction

U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.) speaks during a news conference on the opioid epidemic on May 19, 2016, on Capitol Hill. Legislators held a news conference to discuss their support for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.) speaks during a news conference on the opioid epidemic on May 19, 2016, on Capitol Hill. Legislators held a news conference to discuss their support for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.

Can You Tell Me How To Get...

Sesame Street's Elmo and Rosita pose with Capitol visitors as they walk through the halls of the Rayburn House Office Building after participating in the USO event to assemble care packages for troops on May 17, 2016. Some 1,500 care packs were stuffed in celebration of the USO's 75th anniversary.
Sesame Street's Elmo and Rosita pose with Capitol visitors as they walk through the halls of the Rayburn House Office Building after participating in the USO event to assemble care packages for troops on May 17, 2016. Some 1,500 care packs were stuffed in celebration of the USO's 75th anniversary.

Standing Up For Young Athletes

Karen Zegel, whose son Patrick Risha (photograph on the table) took his own life after suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations during a hearing about concussions in youth sports in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on May 13, 2016.

The Donald Visits

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives at the Republican National Committee for a meeting with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 12, 2016.
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives at the Republican National Committee for a meeting with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 12, 2016.

Silent Snickers

From left, Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) conduct a news conference on April 20, 2016, in the Capitol to discuss the federal government's role in strengthening drinking water infrastructure. They are reacting to Schumer's decision to not make remarks.
From left, Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) conduct a news conference on April 20, 2016, in the Capitol to discuss the federal government's role in strengthening drinking water infrastructure. They are reacting to Schumer's decision to not make remarks.

Anti-Trafficking Efforts

From left, Shandra Woworuntu, a survivor of sex-trafficking, Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) prepare for a news conference to announce Visa Transparency Anti-Trafficking Act on the East Front of the Capitol on April 20, 2016.
From left, Shandra Woworuntu, a survivor of sex-trafficking, Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) prepare for a news conference to announce Visa Transparency Anti-Trafficking Act on the East Front of the Capitol on April 20, 2016.

GRAMMYs On The Hill

Singer, songwriter, actor and author Tyrese Gibson (left) and Kathy Sledge (center) of Sister Sledge lead participants of GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day in a busking demonstration in Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill on April 14, 2016. (Photo by Paul Morigi/WireImage for The Recording Academy)
Singer, songwriter, actor and author Tyrese Gibson (left) and Kathy Sledge (center) of Sister Sledge lead participants of GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day in a busking demonstration in Upper Senate Park on Capitol Hill on April 14, 2016. (Photo by Paul Morigi/WireImage for The Recording Academy)

Democracy Spring

Activists of the grassroots Democracy Spring movement carry signs during a march near the Capitol on April 14, 2016.
Activists of the grassroots Democracy Spring movement carry signs during a march near the Capitol on April 14, 2016.

Police And Protesters

U.S. Capitol Police officers push back Democracy Spring protesters calling for the end of big money in politics from the Capitol steps on the East Plaza of the Capitol on April 13, 2016.
U.S. Capitol Police officers push back Democracy Spring protesters calling for the end of big money in politics from the Capitol steps on the East Plaza of the Capitol on April 13, 2016.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.