Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made the following remarks in response to the House Foreign Affairs Committee consideration today of a version of the Magnitsky Act:

“Visiting the United States and having access to our financial system, including U.S. dollars, are privileges that should not be extended to those who violate basic human rights and the rule of law.  Advancing such legislation is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Sergei Magnitsky, who continues to be posthumously prosecuted by the Russian government for his courageous acts to expose the truth and to protect Russian taxpayers from official graft.  Once enacted, the bill named in his honor will provide powerful tools to combat the serious human rights violations that continue to occur on a daily basis in Russia and throughout the world.”