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U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman on Wednesday vigorously defended President Barack Obamas request for trade promotion authority in the face of opposition from liberal Democrats opposed to more trade deals.

TPA puts Congress in the drivers seat to define U.S. negotiating objectives and priorities for trade, Froman said in a speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors in downtown Washington.

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It clarifies and strengthens public and congressional oversight by requiring consultation and transparency throughout the negotiating process, he said. It makes clear to our trading partners that the administration and Congress are on the same page in negotiating high standards in our trade agreements standards that will protect our workers and environment.

Fromans spirited defense came just a day after Obama called for the legislation in his State of the Union speech and as liberal Democrats met across town to express their opposition to the legislation. The top trade officials remarks responded directly to charges that the legislation transfers too much congressional authority over trade to the White House and allows secret negotiations on trade deals that will wind up facilitating a race to the bottom to boost corporate profits.

As he spoke, liberal Democrats led by Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro and New York Rep. Louise Slaughter held a press conference in the Capitol Building to level those very accusations.

I believe there is very broad support in the Congress in opposition to fast track, DeLauro said. I believe that we can win this vote as we have in the past.

The TPA bill, also known as fast-track legislation, would allow the White House to put trade deals before Congress for simple up-or-down votes without amendments. The bill is considered key to wrapping up the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership pact with Japan and 10 other countries and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the 28-nation European Union because it provides negotiating countries with the assurance that Congress wont undo the provisions of the deals.

Froman, in response to a question, said he was confident Congress would approve the legislation. But the administration was taking nothing for granted and was working with both parties to ensure that weve got the necessary support, he said.

The United States needed both the Asia-Pacific and European agreements to ensure its exporters have fair access to growing overseas markets, he said.

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Froman, liberal Democrats clash on trade authority