Obama and the Free Trade Lobby

(This article is re-posted from OpenSecrets.)

In his weekly address to the nation on Saturday, President Barack Obama said, “Let’s pass trade deals to level the playing field for our businesses. We have Americans driving Hyundais and Kias. Well, I want to see folks in Korea driving Fords, Chevys and Chryslers. I want more products sold around the globe stamped with three words: Made in America.”

There’s a pending trade deal behind Obama’s words. It’s called the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Earlier this year, Republicans in both the House and Senate introduced resolutions urging the compact’s approval. And since then, hundreds of companies, unions and trade associations have set their sites on the proposal.

The Congressional resolutions are S. Res. 20, sponsored by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), and H. Res. 86, sponsored by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.).

According to research by the Center for Responsive Politics, only a handful of organizations have specifically mentioned these resolutions in their lobbying reports so far this year.

Hewlett-Packard, the National Council of Textile Organizations and the American Jewish Committee are the only three groups that have specifically mentioned H. Res. 86 in their lobbying reports, according to the Center’s research.

Meanwhile, the National Council of Textile Organizations, American Jewish Committee, American Apparel & Footwear Association, Fashion Accessories Shippers Association and Travel Goods Association have all specifically mentioned S. Res. 20, the Center’s research shows.

But hundreds of groups have lobbied on the trade agreement without specifically mentioning either of these resolutions. In fact, about 500 companies, unions, trade associations and other groups.

Among the organizations that expressly mentioned “free trade agreement” in their lobbying reports are the American Farm Bureau, the Business Roundtable, Chevron, Pfizer, the AFL-CIO, Wal-Mart, General Motors, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and PhRMA.

Needless to say, these groups are listening closely to what Obama and congressional leaders will say next.