U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Eric Cantor said Tuesday that he does not see adequate support emerging to pass legislation upgrading American trade relations with Russia.
"Unfortunately, we don't see the bipartisan coalition we need to pass it," Cantor told reporters. He added that House Republicans were continuing to work with Senate leaders to try to find support for the measure.
Congress is under pressure to approve "permanent normal trade relations" with Russia to ensure that U.S. companies share in all the market-opening benefits of Moscow's entry into the World Trade Organization last month. However, Russia's support for Iran and Syria, as well as its record on human rights, makes it unpopular in Congress.
(Reuters)
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