House panel easily approves Russia trade bill

Legislation to normalize trade relations with Russia sailed through the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday despite lingering concerns over the conflict in Syria. 

The panel approved the measure by voice vote with the majority of those in attendance expressing support for the bill that would repeal the Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik provision and extend permanent normal trade relations to Russia, which is set to join the World Trade Organization on Aug. 22. 

"We give up nothing with this legislation, not a single U.S. tariff, but we would obtain a powerful new enforcement tool and important rights with respect to the sixth largest economy in the world," said panel Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.). 

The panel's top Democrat, Rep. Sandy Levin (Mich.), said he and Camp are authoring language on Russia's response to the situation in Syria that they expect to include in the committee report, which should be ready in a few days. 

"We want to make it clear how unsatisfied, unwarranted and untenable" Russia's actions are with Syria and that "we will continue to work on that as one way to express ourselves through the report language."

That move didn't satisfy Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) who said lawmakers were doing themselves a "disservice" and are, with the bill, rewarding Russia's bad behavior "hoping it will become better behavior." 

"Putting language in the report is not good enough," he said.  

He argued that Russia's continued involvement with Syria has everything to do with the trade bill, and that lawmakers "have really gone off the deep end" if they couldn't see that. 

Camp said he expects human-rights legislation known as the Magnitsky bill, which Finance added during its markup, to be tacked on in the House Rules Committee because his panel does not have jurisdiction over the issue. 

The trade bill is identical to the trade measure unanimously approved by the Senate Finance Committee last week. 

"This bill addresses these concerns by making sure that the administration stays on top of Russia’s compliance with its WTO commitments, tackling our longstanding trade issues with Russia and addressing the lack of the rule of law in Russia," Camp said. 

With the hurdles diminishing, lawmakers are still leaning toward saying is must be done rather than they guranteeing its completion by the end of next week. 

"Thanks to Chairman Camp and ranking member Levin, we’re one step closer to the finish line," said Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.). 

"Now the House needs to pass the bill so we can get this done before the August work period.”

Camp indicated that he wants to resolve any differences with the Senate before the bill heads to the House floor, which needs to happen early next week so Congress can clear the measure for President Obama before leaving for the August recess. 

The House is required to pass the measure first because it contains revenue-raising provisions. 

Any changes by the Senate could doom the bill's chances of passing before lawmakers head out of town next week. 

Levin also called for the House to work with Senate leadership to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate Magnitsky bills so the House can link the measures for a House vote.

This story was updated at 12:40 p.m.