Senate Votes To Determine China PNTR Discussion

ByJohn S. McClenahen Procedural votes set for today and July 28 will determine when the U.S. Senate will take up a House-passed bill (H.R. 4444) extending permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to China. If the Senate cuts off debate at the end of this week -- a so-called cloture vote -- China PNTR, says Senate GOP leader Trent Lott (R, Miss.), will become the first order of business when the lawmakers return to Capitol Hill in September. During the August recess, several leading U.S. business groups will pressure legislators to pass a "clean" bill, one not encumbered by non-trade-related amendments.