From TheHill.com:
Congressional Democrats’ bark has been worse than their bite when it comes to trade sanctions against China.
Lobbyists say this year promises to be different.
With the economy playing an increasingly important role in the presidential campaign, Democrats have new incentive to show how they hold a different view of the threat posed by China than the Bush administration. Lobbyists worry the raised stakes of an election year increases the likelihood that a China trade bill will finally reach the president’s desk after several years of falling short.
The political pressure to move is bolstered by the new class of Democrats, many of whom believe they owe their victories in 2006 to the anti-trade stances they struck on the campaign trail. Before facing their first reelection tests this fall, these Democrats are eager to move legislation penalizing China. [Full Text]
