H1-B Visa, China Trade Bills Stumble

China Trade at Standstill

Another business-backed bill, which would give normal trade status to China, has also run into trouble, Dooley says. Expressing his "distress over the Senate's inaction" on the bill, Dooley told the business group, "[We] cannot have a [modified] China PNTR vote come back to the House. It's a death wish and an overtly political move."

Passage of the China trade bill is threatened by the introduction of a corresponding bill in the Senate, sponsored by Fred Thompson (R-Tennessee) and Robert G. Torricelli (D-New Jersey) that also addresses weapons proliferation in the region. Alternative bills and the politics of November elections have greatly diminished the chances legislation will get passed before the recess, Dooley says.

A Broader Perspective

Despite the setbacks, Dooley remains confident these bills will eventually clear Congress. But he emphasizes the need of business to inform their workers of how their jobs are directly tied to expanded trade.

"How do we educate the broader public to the importance of economic engagement?" Dooley asks. "From a California perspective, we have tremendous opportunities in Latin and South America that are impeded by the lack of free trade."

He is also careful to remind the business community that it must not turn its back on issues such as the environment and human rights. "Once the China matter passes, we do not just want to leave the playing field," he says. "We need to point to commitment on the key issues."