Besides the Chinese data, gold and other commodities also are drawing support from a softer U.S. dollar, said Bob Haberkorn, senior commodities broker with R.

FORBES: Chinese Data Sends Some Base, Precious Metals To Highest Levels In More Than A Month

The prime-movers behind this initiative at the moment are Senators Fred Thompson (R-TN) and Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), the chairman and a senior Democrat respectively on the Senate's Governmental Affairs Committee.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy