House aims to take up trade bill in September

The Hill

A leading business coalition expects the House to take up a bill that would extend normal trade ties to Russia shortly after returning from the summer break.

The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) expects the House to hold a vote Sept. 12 on a bill that combines provisions providing permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Russia with human-rights legislation.

“If the House acts that early in September, there should be a good bit of momentum going forward in Senate,” Bill Reinsch, NFTC’s president told reporters Tuesday, on the eve of Russia joining the World Trade Organization.

Russia completes its accession to the World Trade Organization on Wednesday but Congress didn’t repeal the 1974 Jackson-Vanik provision, which would have provided normal trade relations between the two nations, before leaving for the August recess.

“Sen. [Harry] Reid hasn’t said anything about this in a very long time, but it would be big news if the House passes it on suspension, there would be a lot of momentum,” Reinsch said.

The bill is scheduled for a vote under suspension of the rules, which requires two-thirds support of the chamber, NFTC leaders said.

The bill isn’t likely to capture all Republican votes — NFTC leaders said they are still trying to convince House leaders such as Foreign Affairs Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) to back the legislation.

They also continue to talk to House leaders, who have said the lower chamber would take up the measure next month if the White House and the Senate pledge their support.

“There’s still a fight in the House,” said Dan O’Flaherty, NFTC’s vice president.

NFTC estimates that at least 80 Democrats will have to vote for the bill for it to pass under suspension.

Dissension in Congress can be traced to other political concerns, including Russia’s involvement in Syria, although business groups argue that granting PNTR to Russia “does not in any way signify acceptance of Russian foreign policy.”

Lawmakers are aiming to pass a combined measure would extend permanent normal trade relations to Moscow that includes the so-called Magnitsky bill, which would punish Russian officials for their involvement in the death of whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who died in prison after reporting government corruption in Russia.

While NFTC has been supportive of the PNTR legislation the group has tried to steer Congress away from stringent human-rights legislation that might encourage Moscow to retaliate against the United States. Russian officials have expressed opposition to the human-rights bill.

House and Senate committees have each approved different versions of the human-rights bills. The House’s bill pertains more specifically to those Russian officials involved in the death Magnitsky, whereas the Senate bill targets human-rights violators worldwide.

The NFTC isn’t expecting any resolution of the issue before Congress returns from the recess.

The House is scheduled to be in session for eight days next month before leaving Washington for the elections, giving the chambers little time to negotiate and complete the bill, risking it slipping to the lame duck session or beyond.

Business groups have argued that the longer Congress puts off grant normal trade ties the more damage will be done to the U.S.-Russia trade relationship, including increased duties.

That is why they have spent the bulk of their time reassuring lawmakers that nixing the Jackson-Vanik provision, a U.S. law aimed at encouraging the emigration of Russian Jews with the threat of higher tariffs, only helps the United States.

“We believe there is strong bipartisan support and momentum to pass this legislation, and we urge Congressional leaders and the White House to work together to get it done in September,” said Business Roundtable President John Engler in a statement.

“Any further delay will only hurt American exporters and their workers, as America’s major competitors in Europe and Asia move to sign contracts and make deals that could disadvantage U.S. companies for months or years to come.” payday loan займ срочно без отказов и проверок https://www.zp-pdl.com www.zp-pdl.com hairy woman