The Washington Post reported on its February 3 edition that Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) could derail President Obama's chances of gaining approval for the pact quickly.

Baucus has pledged opposition until South Korea reconsiders restrictions on imports of U.S. beef from cattle over 30 months old.

According to the Washington Post, the senator said he is working behind the scenes with U.S. trade officials to tweak the agreement to ensure Montana ranchers get a better deal. Baucus reportedly said he will support the pending trade pact with Korea when he sees a more advantageous deal.

Baucus has not said whether he will merely vote against the agreement or will use the full force of his authority as finance chairman to block it indefinitely.

The Senate Finance Committee is a standing committee that oversees FTA-related laws and if Baucus opposes, it will be very difficult to get the Senate to vote on the trade deal between South Korea and the U.S.

White House Chief of Staff William Daley, for his part, told reporters that the White House wants ratification of the trade pact.