(VOVworld)- With 62 yes votes and 28 no votes, the US Senate on Thursday passed the fast track trade authority, the so-called Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to President Barack Obama, bringing a step closer the finalization of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. This is the second vote of the Senate over the bill, with the majority for the vote over 60.

After the vote, President Obama said that Senate’s approval of the TPA was an important step forwards in the TPP agenda, in accordance with environmental and labor standards, which had hindered the TPA’s approval at the Senate’s earlier vote.

Having been given the TPA, the Obama administration will have full rights to negotiate TPP clauses, moving towards finalization of the agreement.

Meanwhile, the US Senate only has the right to pass or not pass the TPP without being able to make any changes to its clauses.