As the President’s trade authority debate continues on Capitol Hill, Texas Democrats are starting to take sides. Notably absent from that debate is former Democratic Congressman Pete Gallego (TX-23), who is planning to run again after his loss in 2014. As The Texas Tribune reports:
“Many Republicans back the deal, but he will need around 25 Democratic votes to give him the authority, called ‘fast track,’ to negotiate. Texans either firmly or likely against giving the president that power include U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Gene Green of Houston and Filemon Vela of Brownsville. U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas back the president.”
It’s worth noting that last October, Gallego toured a San Antonio business that exports goods overseas with President Obama’s top Trade Representative, Michael Froman. Since then, Gallego has stayed out of the conversation, choosing to sit on the sidelines rather than champion the businesses he wants to represent.