House Democrats handed the White House a stinging defeat yesterday over a free-trade agreement with Colombia, rejecting President Bush's bid to force a vote on the deal before the end of the year.
But even as they did this, the Democrats held out an olive branch of sorts, telling the administration that they were ready to find ways to ease the economic pain caused by free trade and the economic downturn before they took up the agreement. Republicans were skeptical, saying Democrats were pandering to protectionist sentiments.
A rule change lifted the requirement, known as "fast track," which would have forced Congress to vote on the deal within 90 legislative calendar days. In a mostly partisan vote, the rule change was approved 224-195. Only 10 Democrats joined 185 Republicans in voting against the change.
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