The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal has suffered a huge setback as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Congress should not take up the trade deal before the November elections.

McConnell says President Obama would be making a big mistake by pushing for a vote on TPPP during the election cycle. He says there is significant pushback to the trade pact.

McConnell opposed the TPP provisions that impact his state’s tobacco industry. Finance Chair Orrin Hatch opposes provisions that affect his stats pharmaceutical industry and the GOP is reluctant to help Obama score a legacy trade win. Democrats reliant on labor and environmental support also oppose the deal and Congressional and Presidential candidates may not want a vote during next spring’s primaries.

American Farm Bureau trade advisor Dave Salmonsen says McConnell is speaking for groups that want issues with the TPP addressed.

 As for the prospects of bringing up the TPP during the lame duck session following the 2016 elections, Salmonsen says it will depend on the calendar.

He says the timing of the TPP vote will depend on the political dynamic six months from now. However, putting it off could mean leaving it up to the next President or even risking problems with TPP trading partners.