The U.S. Senate wasted no time last week, passing Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) on a 60-38 vote and sending it to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it.

Agricultural groups cheered the Senate action and the overall trade progress.

"The Senate’s bipartisan passage of Trade Promotion Authority sends a strong signal to foreign governments that we mean business at the bargaining table and are ready to complete new agreements that will break down trade barriers and open new markets from Asia to Europe," said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

"AFBF applauds the Senate for...