PNTR Bill on Russia, Belarus Still Stalled in Senate
After passing the House 424-8 more than two weeks ago, a bill to end permanent normal trade relations status with Russia and Belarus remains hung up in the Senate. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., objected to the language renewing Magnitsky sanctions that is attached to the bill (see 2203290057).
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Paul told said to The Hill, that there is probably a way to get it changed so he would agree to a vote this week. Congress will take a two-week break from Washington after this week's session ends.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., released a statement about the delay: “Reports of atrocities in Ukraine continue to mount, with horrific photos and videos exposing the aftermath of Russia’s unthinkable violence against civilians there. Nearly a month has passed since the House voted to ban the import of Russian energy products, and nearly three weeks have gone by since our chamber approved the suspension of normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus. The Senate must consider and pass this legislation before breaking for recess at the end of the week.”
Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, the top Republican on Ways and Means, said he is frustrated that the Magnitsky sanctions language was added to the PNTR suspension in the Senate. "It’s created predictable significant challenges in the Senate," he said.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore, said in a Capitol hallway interview April 5, "It is incomprehensible to me, after seeing the atrocities of this weekend on every platform, TV in America, that there'd be any more foot-dragging on this. Because every day that goes by gives [Russian President Vladimir] Putin more money to fund his war machine. To fund the kind of brutality that we saw over the last couple of days. We're trying to get this passed. Should have been done yesterday. Doing everything I can to get it passed every day."
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said in a Capitol hallway interview that the bill stalled because it had an oil ban -- which has already been achieved by executive order -- and the Magnitsky language added to the authorization to hike tariffs on the rest of Russian imports. But he said that he thinks it could get a vote this week.