Senators Banks and Warner Introduce Bill to Improve Export Control TransparencyWednesday, February 26, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced theMaintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act. The bill would provide the transparency that Congress needs to ensure that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is upholding an effective export control system while protecting confidential information.
Senator Banks (R-Ind.):“Our export controls too often fail to prevent sensitive American technology from being sold to firms tied to the Chinese military. I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to give Congress the information we need to prevent American technologies from falling into the hands of our adversaries. My bill with Sen. Warner protects American tech from China and puts our national security first.”
Senator Warner (D-Va.):“Export controls are critical tools in stopping bad actors. Congress should have more insight into the Commerce Department’s licensing process so that we can better understand who is accessing sensitive U.S. technology. I am glad to work with Sen. Banks on this good governance legislation.”
TheMaintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Actwould require BIS to provide an annual report to Congress on export control licensing, including:
Full text of the bill can be foundhere.
Background:
The U.S. government enforces export controls to safeguard national security and prevent adversaries from accessing critical defense goods and technologies. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) within the Commerce Department is responsible for implementing these controls and blocking blacklisted entities from obtaining key technologies.
However, BIS lacks transparency in reporting approved licenses, exported products, and the rationale behind its decisions, making congressional oversight difficult.
Available data suggests BIS rarely enforces export controls on sensitive technology sales to China: