For more information on pursuing trade policy interests through the legislative process, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
Exports. S. 4781 (introduced June 15 by Sen. Schumer, D-N.Y.) would expand the mission of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. and focus on building export-related domestic critical industries that produce goods and services that support employment in the U.S. and strengthen global competitiveness.
The Regional Export Promotion Act (S. 4820, introduced June 17 by Sens. Alsobrooks, D-Md., and McCormick, R-Pa.) would (1) codify the Ex-Im Bank’s Regional Export Promotion Program and (2) create a pilot program directing the Bank to prioritize entering into agreements with state and local economic development agencies, community development financial institutions, minority depository institutions, local chambers of commerce, and local community banks and credit unions, which would work with the Bank to provide specialized training, technical expertise, and streamlined application processes to small businesses.
The Advancing American Quantum Leadership Act (S. 4823, introduced June 18 by Sens. Kim, D-N.J., and Rounds, R-S.D.) would include quantum information science and technology in the areas covered by the Ex-Im Bank’s Program on China and Transformational Exports. A joint press release said this change would give the Bank the flexibility to finance exports of critical quantum applications, including quantum computing, sensing, and communications, as well as enabling technologies.
The Bureau of Industry and Security License Administration Enhancement Act (S. 4835, introduced June 18 by Sens. Cramer, R-N.D., and Kim, D-N.J.) would make certain enhancements to the administration of export control licenses under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018. The bill would create new technical advisory committees within BIS designed to focus on chips, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotech, robotics, aerospace, advanced materials, weapons of mass destruction, emerging tech, and regulations and procedures. It would also require (1) “is-informed letters” (used as part of the administrative process to ensure exporters are aware of possible changes to licensing and exporting requirements or procedures) to go through the standard interagency process, (2) any such letter to be terminated within 60 days unless BIS publicly publishes the underlying restriction, (3) BIS to issue within 90 days a publication detailing how licensing officers apply the “presumption of denial” standard, and (4) the Department of Commerce to review a 2025 BIS rule cracking down on AI-chip smuggling via foreign foundries.
The Export Control Enforcement and Enhancement Act (S. 4840, introduced June 18 by Sen. Blackburn, R-Tenn) would generally require proposals for additions to, removals from, or other modifications with respect to entities on the BIS Entity List to be voted on within 30 days.
FTZs. The Foreign-Trade Zone Export Enhancement Act (S. 4793, introduced June 16 by Sen. Scott, R-S.C.) would allow goods produced in U.S. FTZs to be exported duty-free to Mexico and Canada.
Imports. The Organic Imports Verification Act (S. 9423, introduced June 24 by Rep. Brown, D-Ohio) would authorize the Department of Agriculture to (1) stop the sale of organic imports that test positive for residue contaminants and (2) submit a complete report to Congress on residue testing for all imported organic feedstuffs shipped in bulk to the U.S.
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