The US House of Representatives may lift the Jakcson-Vanik amendment and pass the bill on the Magnitsky List on Friday, RIA Novosti reports.
The Jackson-Vanik amendment was passed to limit trade with the USSR in 1974 due to absence of emigration in the Soviet Union. It has been frozen since 1989.
The Magnitsky List carries sanctions against some Russian functionaries accused of violating human rights. The project was named after lawyer Sergey Magnitsky who died at a Moscow detention center in November 2009. He cooperated with the Hermitage Capital Management investment fund and was accused of tax evasion.
The bill was to be considered before parliamentary vacation in August. It was discussed at the committee for regulations on November 13. US President Barack Obama may sign the bill before the end of the year.
