FRANK SESNO, CNN ANCHOR: The House of Representatives is expected to vote tomorrow on a bill to normalize permanently trade relations with China. Opponents are warning that the deal could cost hundreds of thousands of Americans their jobs. But pro-trade advocates say the measure is necessary to boost U.S. exports. CNN national correspondent Bob Franken is on Capitol Hill where the head count is still too close to call, but the heat is intensifying -- Bob.</s>BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's intensifying big time. And the estimates are that, right now, the proponents seem to have the upper hand, buy there's still about 30 votes or so shy of the 218 they need to put it over the top. That is the majority in the House of Representatives. By the way, the House is the battleground. The Senate is considered a done deal if it passes the House. Now, we're hearing today that about nine or 10 who have been in the undecided column are going to be coming out and announcing they will vote for the legislation. They have been pressured heavily by the business community, by Republican leaders, as well as President Clinton. Republican leaders make the argument, as they did this morning, that what this does when you have such open trade with China is it forces the openness of the United States into China.</s>REP. DICK ARMEY (R-TX), MAJORITY LEADER: This pocket PC is a nightmare to the communist hardliners in China because they know that they cannot prevail when people learn about freedom the way they will in the modern information age.</s>FRANKEN: Now, the opponents of the legislation, mainly backed by organized labor, argue that that PC would probably be made much more cheaply in China if they have this Permanent Normal Trade Relations. And, in fact, that would mean the loss of U.S. jobs and a continuation of human rights abuses in China -- Frank.</s>SESNO: Bob Franken, thanks.
House Head Count Still Too Close to Call on China Trade Deal