61.   The Clinton administration, which considers the vote on permanent normal trade relations its top remaining legislative priority, now expects a narrow win.

62.   The congressman said he opposes permanent normal trade relations with China, known as PNTR in the world of Washington acronyms.

63.   The House vote would confer permanent normal trade status on China and is tied to a U.S.-China pact that calls for China to lower its tariffs.

64.   The human-rights provisions were added in the last days of furious lobbying to pass the bill for permanent normal trade relations, or PNTR.

65.   The litmus test was whether they voted for permanent national trade relations with China.

66.   The platform also opposes permanent trade relations with China, which Bush also supports.

67.   The Senate is expected to approve the bill granting China permanent trade relations.

68.   The success or failure of their work is central to the debate in Washington over whether to give permanent trade benefits to China.

69.   The tensions over Taiwan have complicated Clinton administration efforts to rally support for a bill before Congress that would grant China permanent normal trade relations.

70.   The U.S. Congress must grant China permanent normal trade status to clear the way for the World Trade Organization membership.