Supporters of the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement are aiming for a final vote on the pact by April or May, hoping to push it through before Congress becomes engrossed with legislative priorities such as Social Security overhaul. But opponents of the pact -- including labor unions, U.S. sugar producers and religious groups -- are stepping up efforts to pressure Democrats and undecided Republicans to oppose it, or at least not to publicly commit to support it. Their strategy, sources said, is to make the task of assembling a House majority seem so daunting that leaders will balk at bringing the agreement up. Last weekend, members of the Citizens' Trade Campaign -- a coalition of labor, consumer and religious groups representing 19 states -- held an anti-CAFTA strategy session in Washington. According to one official present, they discussed increasing grassroots efforts in the districts of undecided Democrats. This weekend in Florida, meanwhile, the Business Roundtable task force on trade is meeting to strategize on WTO negotiations and congressional priorities, including the CAFTA.

The pro-CAFTA business lobby already is focused on connecting with moderate Democrats who might be willing to take a leadership role in whipping Democratic support, but so far none have emerged. One lobbyist said business groups would be wise to give up looking for a Democratic flag-bearer of the stature of former Rep. Calvin Dooley, D-Calif. "We're going to have enough problems attracting the right number of Democrats to get this passed without looking for any single person to make a big splash," the source said. Democrats who have been approached include Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the New Democrat Coalition co-chairman, and Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., who has been a reliable vote for trade agreements on the Ways and Means Committee. Smith has not taken a position and is "studying the issue," said a spokesman. Likewise, Jefferson "hasn't made a decision on his position yet," said a spokeswoman, who noted Jefferson was sensitive to state concerns about the effect on sugar growers.

House Democrats willing to cross party lines will be key to success, since a sizable number of GOP defections are expected. Several textile-district Republicans are in the "no" or "leaning-no" camp, and some sugar-district Republicans, including Reps. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., and Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, have announced their opposition, according to statements on their Web sites. But a U.S. trade official said supporters might be able to turn some of those votes as House members are informed about the benefits of the agreement. "It's been an uneven fight thus far. Opponents of CAFTA have been quite vocal and supporters have not been vocal enough," the official said. CAFTA backers are pushing a schedule that includes Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee hearings in February, setting up "mock markups" for March, and a formal committee and floor vote in both chambers in April.

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