A House panel Thursday approved legislation that would lift trade
restrictions on Russia,
though the prospects remained uncertain for passing the bill before the
country joins the World Trade Organization next month.
The House Ways and Means Committee overwhelmingly approved
establishing permanent, normal trade relations with Russia
in a voice vote, adding momentum to the race to win congressional
approval before the August recess at the end of next week.
But challenges remain, with a recent pushback by labor unions
threatening to erode some Democratic support for a top priority of the
White House. Lawmakers from both parties have also called for the House
to add provisions like those already approved by the Senate Finance
Committee that would punish Russian human-rights violators.
House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R., Mich.) said he is
optimistic that Congress can pass the legislation before the recess,
with the human-rights provisions to be incorporated by the House Rules
Committee.
"We've got strong bipartisan support for this on both sides of
the Capitol," said Mr. Camp.
Last week, the Senate panel unanimously approved legislation
to repeal the Jackson-Vanik Amendment--a 1974 measure that prevents the
U.S. from granting most-favored-nation status to countries that restrict
emigration. The committee also included human-rights legislation named
after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who died in prison after
accusing Russian government officials of fraud, despite White House
calls for a bill without such provisions and Russian warnings of
retaliation.
However, no decisions have yet been made about whether to
bring the measure up for a vote next week in the House, according to
aides. In the Senate, aides have said it is doubtful whether its version
of the legislation will be approved by the chamber before the recess.
Rep. Sander Levin (D., Mich.), the top Democrat on the Ways
and Means Committee, urged House leaders to confirm that the
human-rights measures will be added before bringing the trade bill to
the House floor.
Demonstrating how broader geopolitical tensions with Russia
are complicating the trade debate, he also called for Congress to "send
a clear message" to Russia
to help address increasing violence in Syria.
The two committee leaders said they planned to express their
concerns about Russian support for Syria in the report they issue along
with the trade bill.
But Mr. Levin moved to diffuse one key concern among some
unions, which have called for legislation that would go further in
holding Russia
accountable to its WTO commitments than measures included in the Senate
version. The United Steelworkers and Communications Workers of America
have urged support for the stronger enforcement provisions, which would
allow the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees to request
the U.S. Trade Representative's office to take action on Russian trade
violations.
Mr. Levin said he has received assurances from USTR that the
committees already have the ability to request such action, and receive a
timely response.
Tim Reif, USTR's general counsel, confirmed that the
administration would respond within 60 days and decide whether to take
action.
Other major labor groups, including the AFL-CIO and
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, oppose
the trade bill outright, arguing there is little reason to believe
Moscow will comply with its obligations under the World Trade
Organization once it joins the body next month.
Still, business groups that have lobbied hard for the trade
bill remain optimistic, saying a strong vote in the Ways and Means
Committee could create the momentum needed to get the bill through both
chambers by the end of next week.