BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Speaking of the White House, there was a major issue and a major push today expected to begin any time within the next hour to try and push China through with most favored nation status. Of course, Congress has a say in this, and the House will take up the issue later this month, in fact the week of May 22. Here's Chris Black on Capitol Hill letting us know what is happening there now. Chris, Good morning.</s>CHRIS BLACK, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. Bill, as you said, within this hour President Clinton will be hosting a group of very heavy hitters in the East Room of the White House. It is a bipartisan group that is led by former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. But it also includes some international experts that date back to the Kennedy administration: Henry Kissinger will be there, who has played a role in Richard Nixon's decision to reestablish relations with the People's Republic of China 30 years ago. This is all intended to build support for the bill granting permanent normal trade relations with China here on Capitol Hill. Later this month, the House of Representatives will be voting on the measure, and the vote is expected to be very close there. After the Memorial Day recess, the Senate will be taking up the measure. That vote is not in doubt. But until now, every year, this Congress has subjected this trade relations to an annual review. This new legislation would make the trade relations with China permanent. In return for giving up that, the U.S. is going to get lowered trade tariffs to allow for the expert of U.S. goods to China. This is a very tough issue, There is a lot of division on both sides. The congressmen are emphasizing national security issues, which is why, at this point, the White House is hosting these heavy hitters at the White House -- Bill.</s>HEMMER: All right, Chris Black from Capitol Hill. Chris, thanks.
Clinton to Host Supporters of Normal Trade Relations with China