[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 THE EXPORT ADMINISTRATION ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                             HON. TOBY ROTH

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced the Export 
Administration Act of 1995. The text of this bill generally reflects 
the provisions reported to the House last year by the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs, together with certain of the modifications recommended 
to the House last year by other committees. Title I of this bill 
originated with legislation that I introduced in the 103d Congress as 
H.R. 3412.
  As the chairman of the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy 
and Trade of the Committee on International Relations, I intend to 
renew the effort to reform our export control system and see it through 
to completion, with enactment of reform legislation.
  The legislation I have introduced today is the starting point for 
this final push to enactment. In essence, we are picking up where our 
committee left off last year. Prior to acting on this legislation, our 
subcommittee will consult with other members of our committee, with 
other committees and interested Members and with representatives of the 
President as well as other interested parties. Refinements and 
modifications will be made and reflected in a measure which will be 
presented to the subcommittee for its consideration and approval as 
soon as possible.
  My goal is simple: To reform our outdated export control system, help 
our high technology industries and create new American jobs.
  The last time Congress reformed the Export Administration Act was in 
1979, some 15 years ago. The last time it was amended in any 
significant way was in 1988. Therefore, the current law simply does not 
reflect the profound changes which have occurred during the past 5 
years alone: the end of the Cold War and COCOM; the new challenge of 
proliferation; the breakup of the Soviet empire; the beginnings of a 
market economy in China; the diffusion worldwide of advanced computer 
and communications technology; and the advent of a new global trade 
agreement.
  Yet our export control system still operates under an old statute, 
needlessly impeding many high technology exports while not adequately 
focusing on proliferation threats. Testimony last year to our 
subcommittee indicated that some $30 billion in American exports are 
affected by this outmoded system, together with the thousands of jobs 
which would otherwise be created by reforming the system.
  In introducing this legislation, I welcome recommendations from my 
colleagues on how this bill can be further strengthened.
  I intend to continue our subcommittee's tradition of approaching 
legislation in an effective bi-partisan manner and to bring to the 
House a bill that every Member can vote for and that the President can 
sign into law.


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