Republican and Democratic supporters of a fast-track trade bill are confident the U.S. House will pass the measure, sending it to President Barack Obama's desk, two House aides said.
Informal vote counts show more than 200 Republicans support the measure and about 25 House Democrats are prepared to vote for the bill, known as trade promotion authority. That is enough for a clear majority of the 433 members of the House, the aides said.
Along with 18 to 20 Democrats who already have stated their support, Rep. Gregory Meeks, a New York Democrat, said "there's a sizable number" of other Democrats he thinks will sign on. That includes some House Democratic leaders, said Meeks, who supports the measure.
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