Stop the Untouchables. Justice for Sergei Magnitsky.

Russia set to join World Trade Organization on Aug. 22

The Hill

The countdown is on for Congress to normalize trade relations with Russia.

Moscow officially told the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Monday said it has ratified the accession package and is set to become the 156th member of the trade group on Aug. 22.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said the “action marks a significant point in the evolution of the WTO and the global trading system.”

“Congress should continue to work on legislation regarding Jackson-Vanik and permanent normal trade relations for Russia so American businesses, workers and creators have access to the same benefits from Russia’s membership that their foreign competitors have.”

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to hold a markup this week on a measure to repeal the Jackson-Vanik provision, an obsolete Cold War-era amendment that needs to be removed to normalize trade relations with Russia.

The House measure mirrors the language approved last week by the Senate Finance Committee, minus the human-right legislation that Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) wrapped into the bill.

The so-called Magnitsky bill is expected to be tacked onto the House version in the Rules Committee before the bill heads to the floor.

Then the bill, which must pass the House first, would head to the Senate for clearance for President Obama’s signature.

Melding the trade and human rights bills has been opposed by the Obama administration and House Republicans but there was growing support on both sides of the Capitol to including the bill that would apply visa and financial sanctions on Russian officials involved in the death of whistleblower lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.