U.S.-Russia Business Council Welcomes Senate's Move to Take Up
Russia PNTR Legislation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
U.S.-Russia Business Council (USRBC) welcomed news today that the
U.S. Senate is poised to consider legislation to remove
Russia from the Jackson-Vanik
amendment and extend Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR).
The decision by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-NV) to make Russia PNTR the next
item of business on the Senate's legislative agenda means that U.S.
manufacturers, service providers, ranchers and farmers will soon be
able to fully access commercial opportunities equal to those of
their foreign competitors and defend their rights in the Russian
market.
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"In support of much-needed U.S. economic growth and job
creation, we strongly encourage the Senate to pass the current
version of the Russia PNTR bill passed by the House of
Representatives," said Klaus
Kleinfeld, Chairman of USRBC and Chairman and CEO of
Alcoa.
The Russia PNTR measure the Senate will consider (H.R. 6156)
passed the House by 365-43, garnering the votes of 138 Democrats
and 227 Republicans – and the bill enjoys significant bipartisan
support in the Senate as well. From the Senate bill's
introduction by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Senators John Thune (R-SD), John
Kerry (D-MA), and John McCain
(R-AZ) to collaborative efforts between Finance Committee Chairman
Baucus and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT), followed by an
unprecedented unanimous vote for the bill in the Senate Finance
Committee, Russia PNTR has stood out as an issue where legislators
can stand together for the U.S. economy and U.S. jobs.
"This legislation is about giving U.S. business a fair shake in
Russia – it's about locking in
rules and defending the rights of our companies in the
9th largest market in the world. Russia has been a WTO member since
August. It's time for the Senate to take this over the finish
line," said Ed Verona, President of
the USRBC, which leads the business community effort on Russia
PNTR. "We urge the Senate to pass H.R. 6156 without
amendment."
The U.S.-Russia Business Council (USRBC) represents the
interests of its 250 U.S. and Russian member companies, providing
business development and government relations support in both
Moscow and Washington. The USRBC contributes to the
stability and development of a free market in Russia and supports Russia's integration into the global economy.
It also serves as the Secretariat for the Coalition for U.S.-Russia
Trade. Learn more at www.usrbc.org and
www.usrussiatrade.org.
SOURCE U.S.-Russia Business Council