The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) today released this statement following the decision by House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt to vote against permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China next month.

EIA President Dave McCurdy:

"Let's not forget that his is but one of 435 votes. While this news regarding the Minority Leader is very disappointing, it does not signal a wholesale shift of momentum against PNTR.

"The real question for the Minority Leader is this: will he honor the commitment he made in February to me and other high-tech leaders to allow members of the Democratic caucus to vote their conscience?

"Now it is clear that it is even more important for the White House and the Administration to work closely with other Democrats in Congress to convince them to vote for PNTR.

"This vote is extremely important to the well-being of our nation's high tech and electronic industries. This is, without question, the most important trade vote of the decade."

EIA has launched a full-scale campaign to generate grassroots support for PNTR with China. Most notably, EIA has 1) provided each of it's 2100 member companies a step-by-step manual explaining how to mobilize their workers behind PNTR with China, 2) attended high-tech trade shows across the U.S. to educate the high-tech community and generate support for this legislation among its rank-and-file, and 3) placed specialty software on its website (www.eia.org) that allows one to send a message to Congress supporting PNTR with China.

In April and May, EIA is traveling to New Jersey and California to host events in the home districts of Members of Congress who are undecided on PNTR.

The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) is a partnership of electronic and high-tech associations and companies committed to shared knowledge and shared influence. Comprised of more than 2,100 members that provide two million jobs for American workers, EIA represents 80 percent of the $550 billion U.S. electronics industry. EIA's sector associations and members represent consumer electronics, telecommunications, components, government electronics, semiconductor standards, as well as many other vital areas of the U.S. electronics industry.