House Ways and Means Chairman Thomas is pressing GOP leaders to set a date for a vote on the Central America Free Trade Agreement, aiming to signal recalcitrant Republicans that they will have to vote on the controversial trade pact. At a meeting today with pro-CAFTA business lobbyists, Thomas said he was seeking a date for a House floor vote, according to sources present at the meeting. House leaders are eyeing the last week of July for a CAFTA vote, but have not set a firm date. House Republicans were adamant today that the House will vote on CAFTA that week, even though Thomas has not yet filed the committee report that would set in motion a 15-day clock for a House vote to occur. "We will have a vote on CAFTA before the August recess," House Chief Deputy Majority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., told reporters following the meeting with lobbyists.

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The Capitol meeting attended by dozens of lobbyists launched the final stage of efforts to secure enough votes to pass CAFTA. While only five Democrats so far have publicly backed CAFTA, business sources said they have been asked to target an additional 30 who are seen as potential supporters. A House Democratic aide said Democrats are confident they will not lose more than 10 members on the vote. On the Republican side, Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, acknowledged that grassroots efforts to build support over the recess did little to change the heavy lift for CAFTA supporters, but neither has the pact lost much support as a result of opponents' activities, he said. "The large number of undecideds are still undecided," Brady said.