Schumer Pushes For Vote On Bill To Revoke Russian Normal Trade Status

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has appealled for unanimous consent in the Senate to set a vote on the bill to revoke Russia's normal trade status.

• Schumer says on the Senate floor ahead of the vote for unanimous consent: 'Last week the House passed the bill 424-8. Here in the Senate [Republican Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)] wants to add an oil ban. I don't think we should do that.'
• Schumer's explanation for not adding an oil ban:
  
  • President Biden has already passed an executive order to ban Russian oil and gas.
  • The President is leaving today and meeting with allies. He should have something to deliver to European allies.
  • Adding the oil ban will delay action.
• Congress has been stalled for weeks in its push to legislate a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine but if Schumer can get unanimous consent a vote could take place as early as this afternoon.
• This will be Schumer's third attempt at teeing up the bill for a vote. Schumer said: 'There is absolutely no reason to change what the House has already approved...Republicans who complain of delay are the ones who are delaying.'