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U.S. Senate Approves Motion to Proceed to China Trade Bill
U.S. Senate approved a motion Thursday to proceed to a bill granting permanent normal trade
relations (PNTR) status to China, clearing a key hurdle for passage of the bill.
The Senate voted 86-12 to allow lawmakers to take up the measure when Congress returns from a month-long recess on September 5.
The motion was made by Senate Majority leader Trent Lott Wednesday under pressure of the White House and pro-trade business groups.
"PNTR in the Senate has been a long time coming. Despite a two-month delay, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel," said Montana Democratic Senator Max Baucus, a strong supporter of the bill.
The trade bill, which was passed in the House in May, enjoys broad bipartisan support in the Senate.
President Bill Clinton has made passage of the bill his top legislative priority for his final year in office.
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