Bipartisan amendment beaten by 51-48 that would have cracked down on countries, believed to be Japan and Malaysia, using currencies to boost exportsA controversial amendment on currency manipulation offered by Senator Rob Portman failed narrowly on a bipartisan vote of 51-48 on Friday.The bipartisan amendment, introduced by the Ohio Republican and Democrat Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, was offered to the legislation before Congress that would give the president “fast track trade authority”.