By Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff

Rep. Xavier Becerra , D-Calif., has been offered the post of U.S. Trade Representative in the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama , according to Democratic sources.

Becerra is weighing whether to give up his House seniority and newly won spot as vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus to take the Cabinet-level post, a source close to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus said. But another Democratic source said the job has been offered and accepted.

Obama spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said she could not confirm that Becerra would become USTR and noted that the post will not be announced at Obama’s scheduled Wednesday press conference.

If Becerra does take the trade post, his departure could touch off a scramble for the leadership job he won just two weeks ago by defeating Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur by a vote 175-67.

It also would open a coveted seat on the Ways and Means Committee, where he is a senior member.

Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Joseph Crowley of New York were among the Democrats who chose not to challenge Becerra for the vice chairmanship, which opened up when Rep. John B. Larson of Connecticut ran for and won the caucus chairmanship left open by Rep. Rahm Emanuel , D-Ill., who will be leaving the House to become Obama’s White House chief of staff.

Whoever becomes the next U.S. Trade Representative will face some difficult challenges. Most congressional Democrats — and some Republicans — have become increasingly disillusioned with free trade agreements, worrying about their impact on domestic industries and jobs.

Change of Direction

Obama has been a critic of Bush era trade deals, and may be slow to enter into new ones. At a minimum, his administration is likely to insist on stronger labor and environmental standards in countries looking for trade deals with the United States.

President Bush has pressed the current Congress to approve a pending free trade deal with Colombia before adjourning for the year, but Democrats have shown little inclination to do so.

Unions and other critics of trade liberalization argue the Nov. 4 election results were a clear signal that the public is opposed to further trade agreements, and Democratic action on the Colombia deal would prompt a backlash from organized labor and other groups.

While Bush was able to push through several trade initiatives during his eight years in office, including a 2002 renewal of fast-track trade negotiating authority and 2005 passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement, the pace has slowed considerably since Democrats captured control of Congress in 2006.

In 2007, the White House and congressional Democrats reached a deal on how labor and environmental standards should be dealt with in trade pacts. But only one — with Peru — has won approval since then. Becerra voted for that deal (PL 110-138) in 2007 after opposing the 2005 CAFTA deal (PL 109-53).