John Boner and TPP

John Boehner-aligned group plans $1M ad blitz for trade bill

The American Action Network is trying to give House Republicans cover to back fast-track authority for the president.

By Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer

An outside political advocacy organization closely aligned with Speaker John Boehner is spending close to $1 million to promote a bill that would give President Barack Obama fast-track trade authority, saying China will gain economic prominence if Congress fails to act.

The American Action Network, which spent close to $1 million boosting House Republican leadership during the Department of Homeland Security funding fight, is now spending $375,000 for national television ads on Fox News, $250,000 on mail pieces in 25 GOP districts, $200,000 on digital advertising in 65 districts and $75,000 on radio spots.

The TV advertisement blasts Democrats and trade unions for opposing the bill, and says if Congress doesn’t pass trade promotion authority, China will benefit and America will lose. It’s meant to bolster House GOP leadership’s efforts by giving air cover to Republicans vote for TPA.

“China is trying to stack the deck on international trade. And America must respond if we’re to stay No. 1,” the narrator says. “Predictably, the liberals and labor unions advocate weakness abroad. But conservatives need to stand up for American jobs and rebuild U.S. credibility around the world by passing the trade promotion authority.”

The spot closes by saying, “If we don’t lead on global trade, China will.”

American Action Network is weighing in with the House expected to vote on TPA in the next two weeks. An aide to the group said it’s holding open the option of more advertising.

TPA is part of a large-scale legislative package tied to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal between the U.S. and Pacific Rim nations. TPA would give Obama leeway to negotiate trade deals that Congress could approve or disapprove, but not amend.

American Action Network President Mike Shield said his group is spending money because Democrats have struggled to build support for the measure, so conservatives must step up. House GOP leadership has been frustrated with the business community’s efforts to sway Republicans to back the measure. The group has been working with the Business Roundtable’s Trade Benefits America Coalition, the largest pro-trade group in D.C. The Trade Benefits America Coalition is also running a national cable ad campaign.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to get conservatives to vote for this,” Shields told POLITICO. “There are conservatives in Congress who need backup. They need to know this is the conservative vote, and conservatives in the district agree with them.”