Revolt brewing for trade vote?

A group of conservatives in the House is likely to oppose an important procedural vote on fast-track trade legislation, Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) tells The Hill.

Salmon, who supports the trade legislation, said 20 to 25 conservatives are so upset with the way that Republican leaders have handled bills on fast-track and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) that they might vote against the rule setting up floor debate.

{mosads}”I think the rule vote is going to be very, very telling. I think there are a lot of members of the Freedom Caucus that may not be supportive of the rule,” Salmon said in an interview with The Hill’s Molly K. Hooper.

If all members are present, GOP leaders could only afford to lose 28 Republican votes on the rule. Democrats typically vote as a bloc against all rules.

Some Republicans who support the fast-track bill object to TAA, which provides assistance to workers who have been displaced from their jobs by trade.

“The people in the Freedom Caucus — which I think are correct on this — that are having some problems with TAA, believe that once you vote for the rule that allows TAA to have a vote on the floor, it’s going to pass. But it’s not going to pass with Republican votes, not even close. … It’s way too calculated,” he said.

Watch the video clip for more from Salmon about the brewing fight.