Stopping the Flow of U.S. Tech to the CCP

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is a bureau within the Department of Commerce that is responsible for regulating the export of dual-use items – goods or technology that have both commercial and military applications. The House Foreign Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over BIS.

Some notable examples of dual-use technology are:

  • Semiconductors: Semiconductors are the brains behind your car and your cell phone. The more advanced semiconductors are also the brains behind U.S. military jets and advanced weaponry.
  • Space Satellites: Space satellites are used to track weather patterns. But they are also used for intelligence gathering and military communications.

If the export of any dual-use good or technology threatens U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, BIS has the authority to stop that sale from happening by refusing to issue a license. These restrictions are generally referred to as “export controls.” Export controls are one of our most effective tools to keep advanced U.S. technology out of surveillance systems that imprison people based on race and religion and out of the missile systems aimed at our allies and homeland.

As the Chinese Communist Party continues to ratchet up their military aggression against the U.S. and our allies and partners, access to current and emerging technologies will determine who has the upper hand. This means BIS has a pivotal national security role.

Currently, less than one percent of exports to China even need a license, and essentially all licenses for those exports are approved. This raises concerns BIS is overly liberal in approving licenses and may be prioritizing the profits of private corporations over national security.

Committee Strategy

This Congress, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will conduct a 90-day review of BIS. For years, the U.S. export control regime has failed to keep useful military technology from the Chinese Communist Party’s military—look no further than its hypersonic missile.

Business as usual is over, and the committee will scrutinize BIS and mandate reforms where necessary.