Washington, DC – Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) along with Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced H.R. 6156, legislation granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Russia.  This legislation will ensure that U.S. employers, workers, farmers, and ranchers benefit from Russia’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) by removing Russia from the 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment.  It also contains provisions to address concerns about Russia’s compliance with its WTO obligations, address bilateral trade issues between the United States and Russia, and promote the rule of law in Russia.  In addition, the legislation establishes PNTR with Moldova.

Chairman Camp: “With unemployment stuck above 8 percent, this legislation is urgently needed to increase exports and create American jobs.  Not granting Russia PNTR will simply ensure that the benefits of Russia’s membership in the WTO go only to our foreign competitors, not us.  The legislation we are introducing today incorporates the bipartisan work by our colleagues in the Senate Finance Committee to make sure that the Administration stays on top of Russia’s compliance with its WTO commitments, tackles our longstanding trade issues with Russia, and addresses the lack of the rule of law in Russia.  I also support granting PNTR to Moldova, which is long overdue.  I intend to mark up this legislation in Committee next week.  I support adding the Magnitsky legislation to the bill before it is considered by the House.”