U.S. Businessmen Want Trade Bill With Russia Passed

U.S. businessmen are upping efforts to win approval of a controversial Russian trade bill.

Randi Levinas, executive vice president of the U.S.-Russian Business Council, argued that U.S. jobs are at stake if the bill is not approved.

Business groups have bolstered their case for action on the legislation with a letter signed by 73 Republicans.

Congress is under pressure to lift a Cold War human rights provision known as the Jackson-Vanik amendment and approve "permanent normal trade relations," because of Russia's expected entry into the World Trade Organization in August.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP