Copyright 2000 The National Journal, Inc.
The National Journal
July 29, 2000
SECTION: TRADE; Pg. 2508; Vol. 32, No. 31
LENGTH: 146 words
HEADLINE: At
Last, Senate Turns to China Trade Bill
BYLINE: Stephen
Norton/CongressDaily
BODY:
As expected, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss.,
on July 26
took the necessary procedural steps to begin debate on
granting permanent
normal trade relations to China. A key
procedural vote was set for July 27,
although intensive debate-
and a final vote on the bill-is not expected
until September.
Sen. Fred D. Thompson, R-Tenn., is now poised to offer an
amendment to the PNTR bill that is aimed at stemming
China's
suspected nuclear-weapons proliferation activities.
PNTR backers-
including Thompson-had hoped for separate
consideration of the
proliferation proposal because the addition of any
amendments to
the PNTR bill could send it back to the House
for a second
contentious vote. The Clinton Administration objects to
Thompson's proliferation proposal, and Democrats say they will
offer an
alternative measure.
LOAD-DATE: August 1, 2000
