A U.S. Senate committee recently allowed a bill on normalizing trade relations with Russia to move forward despite it carrying language that would impose punitive sanctions against Russian human rights violators . . . the Senate Finance Committee approved the trade bill before Russia officially enters the World Trade Organization in August . . . however, there may not be enough time for the full Senate to vote before Congress closes for their summer recess . . . proponents believe unhindered trade with Russia will create American jobs while boosting firms’ global competitiveness . . . critics think the legislation should have provisions to discourage Russian humanitarian abuses and protect fledgling trade unions there . . . the bills also lacks broad support and momentum in the House where many members are concerned that Moscow continues to support the Syrian regime . . . Congress may not want to approve the Russia trade bill in an election year . . . the White House is pushing for the bill but without human rights stipulations that would anger Russian law makers.