US House moves to revive Obama's Pacific trade pact

US President Barack Obama (2nd R) meets with the leaders of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries in Beijing November 10, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives plans to bring legislation central to President Barack Obama's Pacific Rim trade agreement back to the floor for debate on Thursday, giving lawmakers a chance to deal with it in a different format.

After a major setback last week, a measure that would give Obama "fast-track" authority over his 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement would be considered again by the House, under the plan hatched by Republican leaders.

If the strategy succeeds in the House, the Senate would also have to approve the legislation.

The House Rules Committee on Wednesday approved the rules for the debate. This time, the fast-track bill would be taken up on its own, not paired with another measure to renew an expiring aid program for workers who lose their jobs due to trade deals.

Last Friday, the combination of the two items in a single bill backfired dramatically. In an unusual procedure, the House narrowly approved fast-track, but overwhelmingly defeated the worker aid provision, stalling fast-track.