House Panel OKs Clinton Trade Bill

President Clinton’s bid for negotiating authority to create a hemisphere-wide free-trade area cleared a key legislative hurdle even though most Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee rejected his appeal for support. The panel approved the measure on a 24-14 vote with only four Democrats voting yes. The measure gives the president the power to negotiate future free-trade agreements under a “fast-track” process that requires quick congressional consideration and a yes-or-no vote without amendments.