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   From: vett@that.com   
      
   Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said it is not her responsibility   
   to help House Republicans pass a controversial piece of trade   
   legislation at the top of President Barack Obama’s priorities.   
      
   The California Democrat told reporters on Thursday that it is up   
   to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to provide the bulk of the 217   
   ‘yes’ votes needed to pass fast-track authority, a measure that   
   would allow Obama to more easily pass a Pacific trade deal.   
      
   Trade has historically been a top priority for Republicans and   
   the current split between Democrats and the White House means it   
   falls on the Republican-controlled House to pass Obama’s request.   
      
   Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) are not whipping   
   Democratic lawmakers on the bill.   
      
   “It’s his responsibility,” Pelosi said of Boehner. “It’s a test   
   of his [leadership]. I have confidence in him … but it’s not my   
   responsibility. Members are taking this very, very seriously.”   
      
   Pelosi told Boehner he needs to provide at least 200 votes.   
      
   She added, “I don’t know why, if [Republicans] want [fast track]   
   so much … why is there any question if they can deliver the   
   votes?”   
      
   A majority of the Democratic Caucus is opposed to Trade   
   Promotion Authority, putting Pelosi in the uncomfortable   
   position of either voting against Obama or many of the   
   progressives in her caucus.   
      
   That tight spot explains why Pelosi continues to dodge questions   
   about how she plans to vote on fast track, which Republican   
   leaders hope to bring to the House floor for a vote next week.   
      
   She refused to say how she will vote during her weekly press   
   conference Thursday but strongly suggested that there could be   
   more supporters among the Democrats than the 18 lawmakers who   
   already have announced their intention to vote for fast track.   
      
   Her vote is being closely watched by pro-trade Democrats in   
   Congress, the White House and by the bill’s biggest opponents,   
   labor unions — all who expect the California Democrat to   
   ultimately break their way.   
      
   http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/nancy-pelosi-trade-deal-   
   gop-118645.html   
       
      
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