The following are excerpts from the Bauer letter. The full text of the letter is attached. I ask you to consider what normalizing our trade relations with China will mean not only for our future national security, but also for the cause of human rights inside China itself.
China is clearly intent on supplanting the United States as the premier power in the region.
You will be asked to change permanently China's relationship with the United States. Before you cast this historic vote, I respectfully ask that you to pause and consider the full import of your action. I am aware of how some of you have struggled with and agonized over this decision. Arguments can be made for extending permanent normal trade relations to China. I understand the pressures you are under to cast your lot with those who promise that making China's most favored nation trade status a permanent feature of U.S. law will bring enormous economic benefits to your home states and districts.