Chamber Applauds House Passage of Russia PNTR Bill

“Congress Overcame Gridlock to Boost Trade,” Says Donohue

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue issued the following statement today praising the House of Representatives for approving legislation establishing permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia and calling for swift Senate passage of the bill:

“The Chamber applauds the House for today’s strong vote to help American workers, farmers, and companies sell their products in the booming Russian market. This is a jobs bill that won’t cost the taxpayer a penny, and we urge the Senate to approve it as soon as possible.

“Over the past two years, members of Congress from both parties overcame gridlock to boost trade and the jobs it creates. This bipartisan consensus led to some of the most important achievements of the 112th Congress, which approved new trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama, reauthorized the U.S. Export-Import Bank, and now is poised to secure a level playing field for American companies in Russia.

“Americans increasingly see that trade is an engine of growth and jobs. There’s also a growing recognition that when we stand still on trade, we fall behind.

“We need to build on this progress. In the new year, the Chamber will work for a high-standard Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, a trade and investment agreement with the European Union, an International Services Agreement, and restoration of the president’s traditional authority to negotiate trade agreements in close consultation with Congress.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.