After party leaders negotiated a deal that would allow for a vote on a trade enforcement bill, the Senate took a cloture vote to proceed with debate on the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), or "fast-track," bill.
I think that most people on the Daily Kos are already well-versed in the debate here, knowing how giving the president trade promotion authority weakens the role of Congress and expedites passage of trade deals ("greasing the skids," as Senator Elizabeth Warren often says). And I'm sure you also know how the "trade" bills being discussed are not really about trade and more about corporate power and privilege. (If you need a reminder, here's a handy article from David Dayen over at Salon.
The Senate vote to move forward was 65 to 33.
13 Democrats joined Republicans in voting for cloture.
Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Tom Carper (D-DE)
Chris Coons (D-DE)
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Mark Warner (D-VA)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)
These 13 decided to side with their Big Business backers against labor unions, environmentalists, consumer rights advocates, and progressive advocacy groups.