The US House of Representatives has voted to support a bill to set extra tariffs on Chinese exports to the United States. But reports say chances are dim that the Senate and the White House will approve the proposal.

In a rare showing of bi-partisan support, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to support a bill that puts pressure on China to let its currency rise faster.

The legislation would open the door to extra tariffs on Chinese goods entering the United States - if China continues to undervalue its currency.

U.S. Congressman Rob Andrews is a Democrat from New Jersey.

US Congressman Rob Andrews said, "If you have a policy that says if the Chinese manipulate their currency and make it easy to fill the shelves of Walmart - but empties the pockets of American workers - and you ignore it, I think that's crazy."

Opponents of the bill argued a better way for dealing with the U.S. trade imbalance with China is to approve pending free-trade agreements.

Texas Republican Kevin Brady.

US Congressman Kevin Brady said, "There are real concerns about how effective this will be. And if it will truly compel China to change its currency regime or that it will significantly change our trade deficit."

The vote in the House was largely symbolic. Prospects for Senate approval are dim and the White House has not taken a position on the legislation.