House Subcommittee Chair Voices Timing Concerns for Russia PNTR

Rep. Dan Burton, R-Ind., voiced some concern over efforts to grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR), during a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing March 27, 2012. Burton, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia said he was concerned over the timing of graduating Russia from the Jackson-Vanik amendment, but also said he worried about what the alternative would be. Burton said if Russia is graduated from Jackson-Vanik, the U.S. should continue to support democracy and human rights in Russia.

(The Jackson-Vanik denies normal trade relations to Communist and former Communist countries, unless the President determines that the country permits free and unrestricted emigration of its citizens. Witnesses at the hearing include representatives from the companies Deere & Company; GE Russia/CIS; Montana Stockgrowers Association; and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.)