| Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) announced today that he has introduced the Export Control Improvements Act, H.R. 6828. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, Congressman Sherman has held a number of hearings on the need to keep dangerous technologies out of the hands of our enemies. This new legislation will improve national security by targeting the trade routes that proliferators exploit.
The Export Control Improvements Act will mandate the improved tracking of shipments of potentially dangerous materials, including weapons and nuclear materials. The bill is
cosponsored by Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) and Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-IL).
“We must do more to close down the routes used by proliferators to transfer sensitive and dangerous technologies into irresponsible hands,” said Sherman. “In this legislation, we require better tracking of these exports to ensure that they are not being funneled through front companies.”
The bill will permanently reauthorize the law enforcement authority of the Department of Commerce, which is charged with going after those who illegally sell technologies that can be easily exploited, like the explosive devices being used against our troops in Iraq. The bill requires the administration to work more closely with two countries of concern in the resale of such technologies: Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.
Congressman Sherman’s bill will also require a temporary suspension and review of the Validated End User Program, which has eliminated the license review for the export of some sensitive technologies to China.
“We require greater scrutiny in countries, known to be a transfer hub for these illicit activities, and the legislation requires a thorough review of yet another controversial program initiated by the Bush administration,” added Sherman.
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