Thursday: Russia in the House, sportsmen in the Senate

By Pete Kasperowicz - 11/15/12 09:33 AM ET

The House meets at 10 a.m. for speeches, then at noon to debate and pass a rule for H.R. 6156, the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act.

The rule sets 90 minutes of debate on the bill, which would give Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status and allow the U.S. to benefit from Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization. But House passage of the bill is scheduled for Friday.

The House will also vote on H.R. 2453, which authorizes a Mark Twain Commemorative Coin.

The Senate starts at 9 a.m., and expects to hold a 9:15 a.m. vote to end debate on the Sportsmen's Act, S. 3525. That bill is aimed at increasing access to federal lands by sport-hunters and fishermen.

On Wednesday, it became clear that the Senate is having trouble reaching agreement on what amendments to consider related to this bill.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he still hopes to move to the Defense Authorization Act by the end of this week.