Washington, DC – Today, Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) issued the following statements after the Senate passed legislation granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia and Moldova.  The legislation (H.R. 6156) also imposes sanctions on persons identified as responsible for the detention, abuse, or death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, and for other gross violations of human rights in Russia.  The House passed the bill on November 16 by a vote of 365-43.

Chairman Camp: “I am very pleased the Senate passed the House bill to grant PNTR with Russia, ensuring that the U.S. can reap the benefits of Russia’s membership in the WTO.  This important legislation will lead to increased exports, new American jobs, and gives us a powerful new enforcement tool.  The Magnitsky provision sends a strong message that the U.S. will not tolerate human rights transgressions.  I hope we can continue our long-standing tradition of promoting bipartisan, pro-growth trade policies into the next Congress.”

Trade Subcommittee Chairman Brady: “This bill ensures that American workers, farmers and ranchers will not be left behind in this increasingly competitive global economy.  With PNTR, we can now take advantage of Russia’s rapidly growing market and create U.S. jobs.  This legislation is long overdue and I urge the President to promptly sign it into law.”