President Obama sent three FTAs—Panama, Colombia and S. Korea—to Congress on October 4. Under trade promotion authority, which Congress granted to the Bush administration to negotiate the agreements, the legislation may not be amended, and Congress has 90 days to hold up-or-down votes on each. Changes to the legislation would make it subject to normal rules and procedures, including amendment and filibuster.
U.S.- Panama FTA – Target implementation date of October 1, 2012