National Journal's CongressDailyAM
December 4, 2001
By Stephen Norton and Keith Koffler

House passes trade legislation 12/6 (AP) -- In a victory for a wartime White House, the House narrowly approved legislation Thursday giving President Bush stronger authority to negotiate global trade deals. The vote was 215-214.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue said Monday House GOP leaders should hold a vote on renewing presidential trade negotiating authority Thursday even if they expect the measure to fail.

"I'm willing to take the risk," Donohue told reporters. He said that if House GOP leaders called Thursday morning to report the votes would not be there, his advice would be, "Vote it."

Donohue recalled that an effort to pass what was called "fast track" in 1997 probably would have succeeded had congressional leaders and former President Clinton not "blinked" and pulled the bill.

Donohue said he is confident that President Bush and House GOP leaders will go through with the vote Thursday, even if might fail.

Although Bush in recent days appears to have done little in the way of retail lobbying for the bill, several leading business lobbyists Monday expressed satisfaction with the administration's effort.

The administration has put out the word that Bush has cleared out his schedule this week to work the phones and meet with lawmakers at the White House.

"We are certain he will be engaged up through the vote, making visits and calls to get us over the top," said Chamber Vice President William Morley.

One K Street official who recently complained about the lack of Bush's personal involvement said he was now "very impressed" with Bush's commitment.

Others indicated they saw vigorous involvement at other levels of the administration.

"Even [Secretary of State] Powell's involved," said one.

A group of about 20 CEOs of major corporations that comprise the Emergency Committee for American Trade today will send a letter to House Speaker Hastert expressing support for trade negotiating authority.

Among those signing the letter are ECAT Chairman and McGraw- Hill CEO Harold McGraw III, as well as the CEOs of Cargill, Caterpillar, Ford Motor Co. and New York Life International, and other companies.

Meanwhile, the National Retail Federation sent a letter to House members urging their approval of the trade bill.

Donohue acknowledged he is less confident of victory than he was on the eve of the vote last year on permanent normal trade relations for China.

However, he said there are probably members holding out who actually have made up their mind, but know that they can extract concessions on other issues of they continue to insist they are undecided. "That's the system," he conceded.