Bipartisan Amo, Shreve Bill Restores Support for U.S. Businesses Navigating Complex Export Rules
Export controls have grown more complex while outreach and education for American businesses has waned.
WASHINGTON, DC – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01) and Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-06) introduced the Strengthening Export Controls Compliance Act to help American businesses navigate increasingly complex export control rules and stay globally competitive.
Export controls have grown more complicated in recent years and the programs designed to help American businesses comply have been scaled back. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) canceled key industry engagement efforts, including an annual conference, and halted training seminars that helped companies understand evolving export control policies. These cuts hurt small- and medium-sized businesses that don’t have large compliance teams to help navigate complicated rules on their own. The result is slower export licensing, weaker compliance, and greater risk for American businesses.
“When the rules get more complicated and the guidance disappears, American businesses are not set up to succeed,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01). “We need to help American companies trying to comply with our export controls and do the right thing. I’m pleased to introduce a new bipartisan bill with Congressman Shreve that ensures the Bureau of Industry and Security provides necessary education and information to American industry to support workers and small businesses, promote economic growth, and maintain national security.”
“Export controls are becoming more complex as technology advances and the stakes grow higher,” said Congressman Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-06). "This bill gives American businesses the clarity they need to understand the rules, plan ahead, and compete with confidence. Clear guidance strengthens our national security and supports a more competitive American economy.”
Background
The Strengthening Export Controls Compliance Act would codify an annual Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) conference, require BIS to conduct industry outreach on new export control rules, and require BIS to report to Congress on its efforts to educate and inform industry to bolster compliance.
Congressman Amo serves as Vice-Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has actively worked to strengthen U.S. export controls.
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