Levin, McDermott -- Statements on Senate Finance Mark-up of Legislation Granting Russia PNTR

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) made the following statements after the Senate Finance Committee today approved bipartisan legislation granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations status to Russia that includes strong enforcement provisions:

LEVIN: “I commend the Senate Finance Committee for its unanimous bipartisan action today.  The outcome of that action is a strong bill that addresses the outstanding issues that we have raised.  I fully support that bill and hope Chairman Camp will join me in co-sponsoring an identical House bill and schedule a markup.  I fully expect the Magnitsky bill will be part of the House consideration of the Russia PNTR bill.  And, as I’ve said before, we need to use the opportunity of action on Russia PNTR to send a clear message to Russia that it needs to work with the other nations of the world to address the violence against civilians in Syria.”

MCDERMOTT: “We should get Russia PNTR done now – and this bipartisan bill from the Senate Finance Committee is the right approach.  It makes progress on longstanding issues with Russia, from the enforcement of intellectual property rights to barriers to Russia’s commitment to participate in the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement. I urge Chairman Camp to schedule a markup of this bill next week.”

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