Business groups press lawmakers to pass Russia trade bill in November

Business groups are urging lawmakers and the White House to work together to normalize trade relations with Russia by the end of the year.

In a letter to President Obama and congressional leaders on Friday, nine business groups teamed up to call for passage of a measure that would extend permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Moscow they argue will bolster exports, jobs and the economy. 

"We strongly urge the White House and Congress to work together to ensure passage of this legislation as quickly as possible after the November elections," they wrote. 

"Further delay in its passage will hurt U.S. interests and is not an option."

Russia joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Aug. 22. 

"Enactment of PNTR with Russia is a critical legislative priority of our organizations this year," they wrote.

"Inaction will cost U.S. farmers, manufacturers and service providers substantial opportunities for growth in Russia's market, the ninth largest economy in the world and a key emerging market."

House and Senate lawmakers told The Hill this week that there is bipartisan support for the measure in both chambers and they expect Congress to pass it after the November elections. 

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) said he is "convinced" the votes are there in the House and the Senate. 

"The clock is ticking on this thing," he said. 

In the Senate, Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, author of human-rights legislation also under consideration in conjunction with the trade bill, said the upper chamber is ready to pass the measure. 

"I think we have the votes here," he said. 

Earlier this week, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk urged Congress to pass a bill extending normal trade ties. 

"The Obama administration is strongly encouraging Congress to pass legislation as soon as possible that will terminate Jackson-Vanik and authorize permanent normal trade relations with Russia," he said Wednesday at the Global Services Summit.

Last week it became clear that although lawmakers, including House leaders, said they intended to vote on a bill this month, the Russia measure would get pushed to the lame-duck session after the elections. 

Congress needs to repeal the 1974 Jackson-Vanik provision, a U.S. law aimed at encouraging the emigration of Russian Jews with the threat of higher tariffs, to establish normal trade ties.  

Lawmakers plan to add human-rights legislation to the trade measure — 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.

Separately, the business groups expressed their disappointment that Congress hadn't taken up the measure, yet. 

“We urge House and Senate leadership to build on this momentum and schedule votes as soon as possible in November," said Business Roundtable President John Engler.

"The United States cannot afford further delay on this critical opportunity to help ensure that U.S. manufacturers, service providers, farmers and workers remain competitive in Russia’s growing market.”