Press Releases

Print
Home / News Center / Press Releases

Apr 20 2010

Skelton: Export Control Reform Will ‘Better Protect Americans’

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) released the statement below following a speech by Secretary Gates this afternoon announcing a comprehensive reform of export control system:

 

“Our nation has the very best military technology, and it is absolutely critical that these highly sensitive systems do not fall into the wrong hands. While controlling the export of sensitive technologies is fundamental to keeping our nation safe, it cannot be truly effective if the system is muddled and wrought with gaps and inconsistencies across agencies.

 

“Earlier today, Secretary Gates announced a plan for the kind of comprehensive reforms that can strengthen our export control system to better protect Americans, placing a top priority on our national security.  By building a better and stronger protective system, we can be more effective in preventing terrorists or others who seek to do us harm from obtaining our technologies.

 

“The Armed Services Committee has long worked to make the export control system stronger, more efficient, and more effective.  I am confident that we can work closely with Secretary Gates on a bipartisan basis and with other committees in the Congress to make sure that the system protecting our technology is as excellent as the technology itself. I look forward to holding a hearing on this issue in the coming months.”

 

###



Date Title
12/12/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on North Korean Missile Launch
12/5/12 Rep. Adam Smith to Continue as House Armed Services Ranking Member
Date Title
11/19/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith Reacts to the Conflict in Israel, Gaza
11/16/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Release of Ali Musa Daqduq
11/14/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith Responds to Attacks on Susan Rice
11/10/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement in Observance of Veterans Day
Date Title
9/29/12 Smith Responds to Attacks on Ambassador Susan Rice
9/20/12 Smith Statement on the Anniversary of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal
9/20/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Sequestration Hearing
9/19/12 Ranking Member Smith to Discuss U.S.-Russia Relations
9/14/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Sequestration Report
9/12/12 Ranking Member Smith Statement on Attack in Libya
9/12/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Operational Contracting Support Hearing
9/11/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Anniversary of September 11th
9/11/12 Ranking Member Smith to Discuss Detention Policy, Civil Liberties, National Security
9/5/12 Ranking Member Smith Statement on “Insider Attacks” in Afghanistan
Date Title
8/2/12 Ranking Member Smith, Chairman McKeon Statement Following Briefing on Sexual Assault Incidents at Lackland Air Force Base
8/1/12 Ranking Member Smith Expresses Displeasure with Tone of Sequestration Hearing
8/1/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at Hearing with OMB Director Zients, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter
Date Title
7/30/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on WARN Act Announcement
7/26/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith Applauds Senators Graham, Kyl for Stance on Sequestration
7/25/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at Joint Hearing with Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
7/18/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Hearing on Sequestration: Industry Perspectives
7/10/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith to Give Speech on National Security Challenges in Africa
Date Title
6/28/12 Smith Spearheads Effort for Equal Treatment of Military Spouses