But testimony in recent weeks has produced growing support for canceling the fast-track authority, he added.
Two motions are now before Congress to end that fast-track authority.
The Bush administration contends that trade agreements are passing us by because the president doesn't have fast-track authority.
Administration officials said they would work hard to obtain fast-track authority.
But in voting against allowing fast-track authority, they did something that would have been unthinkable only a few months ago.
Make no mistake, this is the treaty for which President Clinton needs fast-track authority.
One would declare fast-track authority to be a matter of national security, making a vote against it more difficult.
The House bill does not include fast-track authority, either.
He voted against fast-track authority in 1998 and 2002.
The Republicans who control Congress want him to have fast-track authority.