OVERNIGHT MONEY: Russia bill teed up for House panel’s approval

The Hill

Opening trade with Russia: The House Ways and Means Committee will mark up and, most likely, approve bipartisan legislation on Thursday to grant permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Russia.

Panel Democrats and Republicans agreed to push through a trade bill that mirrors the one approved last week by the Senate Finance Committee minus the human rights legislation.

That Senate bill got unexpectedly unanimous support for its measure that included the Magnitsky human-rights bill, which would punish Russian officials involved in the death of whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who died in prison after reporting government corruption.

The House is expected to tack on the human-rights legislation in the Rules Committee before the measure heads to the floor.

If the panel can move the bill, which appears to have broad support, the House could take it up next week and send it back to the Senate for clearance and, finally, President Obama’s signature.

Although the White House and House Republicans expressed their support for passing the PNTR bill on its own, momentum quickly grew to include human-rights legislation.

Business groups have been the biggest supporters, launching nearly two-month campaigns to ensure lawmakers were educated on the issue.

They were ready to claim victory on Wednesday but stopped short.

On Wednesday they said completion of the bill before the August recess was “a long putt” but Congress is “on the green” and it’s a make-able chance.

Russia is set to join the World Trade Organization on Aug. 22, putting pressure on lawmakers to complete the bill by next week. займы на карту hairy women https://zp-pdl.com/fast-and-easy-payday-loans-online.php https://zp-pdl.com hairy girl