At one recent meeting with lawmakers from Florida, Clinton administration officials floated the possibility of backing legislation to require the labeling of fruits and vegetables with their country of origin.
They didn't quite make a flat commitment to support it at the meeting earlier this week, and the issue is unresolved.But whatever the decision, the discussion in a private office off the House floor is an example of a painstaking effort by the administration - backed by the GOP leadership - to secure passage of controversial trade legislation this week.
The fast-track bill would permit the president to present trade agreements to Congress for simple yes-or-no votes and deny lawmakers the chance to amend them. Clinton and previous presidents have enjoyed such authority, but it has lapsed. The president wants the authority to negotiate new agreements with South American and Pacific nations.
Clinton has lobbied energetically in recent days, inviting lawmakers to the White House for private persuasion and unveiling a costly new package of assistance for workers harmed by trade deals, estimated to cost $4 billion over five years.
Floridians, unhappy with the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement, are worried about the future of citrus and other crops. Some California lawmakers are unhappy with the way the wine industry has fared under existing international trade structures.
But not everyone has trade on his mind.
In private conversations, a variety of sources say some Republicans want assurances from the GOP leadership that floor action will be scheduled on long-stalled pet legislation.
Others want pledges from the White House that President Clinton won't kill their favorite projects with line-item vetoes, or that previously vetoed projects will be funded in the future. Others want assurances they'll be on the manifest for an appealing overseas trip.
Still other Republicans are pressing for concessions from the White House on contentious issues such as overseas abortions, the census, educational testing and government help for low-income students to attend private schools.