New Senate Bill Aims to Boost Export Control Enforcement

Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Mitt Romney, R-Utah, on April 9 introduced a bill that would increase resources for detecting, investigating and preventing violations of U.S. export controls.

The proposed Export Controls Enforcement Improvement Act would codify and promote consistent staffing levels at the Export Enforcement Coordination Center, which was created by executive order in 2010 to promote collaboration between U.S. agencies on export enforcement efforts. It would also direct the center to focus on sensitive technology, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology and semiconductors, and on the illegal diversion of exports to China, Iran, North Korea and Russia.

The bill calls for the center to study whether the U.S. should have more export control-focused law enforcement officials posted abroad. It also would require the center to share information about diversion risks with U.S. companies.

Hassan and Romney lead the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight, which is scheduled to hold an April 10 hearing on improving export control enforcement. Officials from the Commerce, Homeland Security and Justice departments are scheduled to testify.