[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H5337-H5338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RUSSIA AND THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, August 22 is a very important date.
  The reason I say that is that August 22 is the date that Russia will 
become a member of the World Trade Organization. It's a done deal. Both 
Houses of the Russian Parliament have passed it, and it's been agreed 
to.
  I point to this day because there are many who believe that as we 
look at a vote on permanent normal trade relations with Russia that 
will be on the horizon--we're not going to be able to do it this week; 
I hope we will do it shortly after we come back in September--there are 
some who believe that we are playing a role in getting Russia into the 
World Trade Organization. That is not the case.
  All we're saying, Mr. Speaker, is that since Russia is already going 
to be a member as of August 22 of the World Trade Organization, we want 
to make sure that U.S. workers and U.S. businesses will have the 
opportunity to have access to the 140 million consumers in Russia.

[[Page H5338]]

  Mr. Speaker, it's important for us to note the question is not 
whether or not Russia will be a member of the WTO, because I believe 
that our access will play a role in undermining the policies of 
Vladimir Putin. The question is: Are we going to get our Western values 
into Russia? We need to say ``yes.''

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