U.S. senators try to avoid weeks-long delay in Russia trade measure

FILE PHOTO: Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) speaks speaks during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations to examine U.S.-Russia policy, on Capitol Hill, Washington, U.S. December 7, 2021. Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS

U.S. senators scrambled on Tuesday to reach a compromise to avoid further delays before passing legislation revoking "most favored" trade status for Russia and Belarus over the invasion of Ukraine, after Republican lawmakers blocked efforts to pass it quickly.

Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters that Democratic Senator Ben Cardin and Republican Senator Rand Paul were trying to reach a compromise that would let the measure pass quickly, rather than through "regular order," a process that could take weeks.