Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 6156, the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act of 2012, with some reservations. Russia became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in August of this year. If the United States is to benefit from the non- discriminatory treatment of goods and services required by Russia's membership in the WTO, we must grant permanent normal trade relations with Russia. The WTO provides a forum and process for requiring Russia to comply with its trade obligations. Russia is currently the United States' 20th largest trade partner. My concern is that Russia might not live up to its trade commitments and here enforcement is key. This bill does have provisions that will strengthen our ability to make sure Russia complies with its obligations and directs the U.S. Trade Representative to pay special attention to Russia's compliance. Congress also has a role; we must exercise robust oversight to ensure that Russia lives up to its obligations and that we use all the enforcement mechanisms available to us. I am also supporting and have cosponsored H.R. 6149, which would further strengthen requirements on the U.S. Trade Representative to monitor and pursue enforcement of Russian commitments under the WTO. I am also supporting this bill because it includes the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, which strengthens the ability of the U.S.…”