Copyright 2000 The National Journal, Inc.
The National Journal
April 1, 2000
SECTION: TRADE; Pg. 1057; Vol. 32, No. 14
LENGTH: 208 words
HEADLINE:
Survey: Many Undecided on China PNTR
BYLINE: Charlie Mitchell/CongressDaily
BODY:
The China trade
debate appears to be a dead heat in the
House, with more lawmakers claiming
to be undecided than are
willing to take a position for or against granting
the country
permanent normal trade relations status. A CongressDaily survey
conducted over the past two weeks shows that 124 House members
favor or
are leaning in favor of approving PNTR for China,
including
93 Republicans and 31 Democrats. On the other side, 122
House
members-including 37 Republicans, 83 Democrats, and two
independents-oppose
or lean against PNTR. In the undecided column
are 137
members, including 62 Republicans and 75 Democrats.
Fifty-two members-30
Republicans and 22 Democrats-declined to
respond or did not respond to
requests for comment. House GOP
leaders have signaled that a vote may be
held before the Memorial
Day recess. The House supporters of
PNTR include most of the
Republican leadership and all but
three committee chairmen. Among
the House Democratic leadership, Minority
Whip David E. Bonior of
Michigan has been leading the charge against
PNTR, whereas
Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt of
Missouri and Caucus
Chairman Martin Frost of Texas have yet to take a public
position.
LOAD-DATE: April 3, 2000
