By Joseph J. Schatz, CQ Staff

The trade business coalition that won a victory in Congress this year in reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank is trying again on what may be a tougher issue.

Groups representing exporters and manufacturers issued support Tuesday for draft legislation Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., introduced to lift Cold War-era trade restrictions on Russia as Moscow prepares to join the World Trade Organization this summer.

The Business Roundtable, a prominent business lobbying group, ramped up its efforts on the issue, a top trade priority for the business community and the Obama administration, and the National Association of Manufacturers said it is important to business as “our economy is stalling.” The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded the bill’s sponsors and said, “Congress should act swiftly to ensure that the United States is not on the outside looking in when Russia formally joins the WTO this summer.”

But the move to normalize relations faces significant headwinds due to concerns from lawmakers in both parties about the Russian government’s human rights record and foreign policy differences with the United States on issues such as government-sponsored violence in Syria. Several top Republicans in the Senate have criticized the effort, and House Republicans so far have been wary. House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., supports the implementation of normal trade relations, but has put the onus on the White House to build support.

And just hours after Baucus unveiled his bill Tuesday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton accused Russia’s government, led by Vladimir Putin, of selling attack helicopters to the Syrian regime. The accusation drew condemnation of Russia from several lawmakers, and underscored the deeply complicated and often changing nature of U.S.-Russia relations.

Bipartisan Support

Baucus’ bill, however, is a bipartisan effort, with the Armed Services Committee’s top Republican, John McCain of Arizona; the Senate GOP Conference chairman, John Thune of South Dakota, and Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., all on board.

The legislation would lift the so-called Jackson-Vanik amendment for Russia. The law (PL 93-618) was enacted in the 1970s to target Communist countries that restricted Jewish emigration.

Critics of Russia in the Senate, including Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md., have stressed that any action on Russia trade must be tied to legislation targeting Russia’s human rights record.

Cardin has drawn widespread support for a bill (S 1039) that would impose new sanctions on human rights abusers in Russia. The bill was named for lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in Russian police custody.

Baucus pledged to McCain and other members to work to add Magnitsky language to the trade bill as an amendment. Baucus wants his committee to act, and the full Senate to vote, on the bill before the August recess. He promised to force a vote on legislation normalizing trade with Moldova.

“As I and others have made clear, the extension of Permanent Normal Trade Relations status and the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment for Russia must be accompanied by passage of the Magnitsky Act,” McCain said in a written statement. “I appreciate Sen. Baucus’ written commitment that he will work for Senate passage of both of these pieces of legislation as soon as possible this year. As we take steps to liberalize U.S. trade with Russia — as we should — we must also maintain our longstanding support for human rights and the fight against corruption in Russia.”

Baucus promised to push for the Magnitsky language in conference with the House. But even though administration officials have been involved in talks to find a way forward, it remains unclear whether they would support attaching human rights language to the trade bill.