30/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - TTIP, obstacle to fast-track procedure at US Senate. The leader of the US Senate's majority, Harry Reid, has stated his opposition to the “fast-track” procedure advocated by President Barack Obama on 29 January to facilitate the conclusion of trade agreements with the EU (TTIP - Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership). Early 2014, representatives submitted a draft law to allow the Obama administration to negotiate trade agreements in detail before calling on Congress to endorse those agreements with a single vote, without being able to make any amendments. Reactivation of this “fast-track” method, which expired in 2007, does not have the unanimous approval of Congress. Dozens of protectionist Democrat congressmen and women are opposed to this provision that deprives elected members of the possibility to amend a potential agreement in order to add social or environmental safeguards. (EH/transl.jl)