As expected, a bilateral free-trade agreement with Morocco sailed through the House today, passing by a vote of 345-76. The measures (HR 4842 and S 2677) received unanimous approval from the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. Passage in the House Committee was virtually assured when the Moroccan government and the Bush administration made assurances on labor rights and pharmaceutical protections, in order to mollify some Democrats. Amendments were prohibited in committee and on the floor under fast-track procedures.

Coming in the wake of an agreement with Australia, the pact gives President Bush another victory to chalk up on the free-trade column.