The following press release has been received from 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo. The words “bureaucratic withholding power” in the headline come from my former Legislative Assistant, Pete Castillo.

Read the press release and you’ll see why I used the characterization.

U.S. House Committee Approves Manzullo Provisions to Modernize Export Controls, Create American Jobs

(WASHINGTON) U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) hailed legislation passed in the House Foreign Affairs Committee last night that he co-authored to modernize the federal government’s export control policy by strengthening national security and helping American companies sell more defense-related goods overseas, creating jobs for Americans.

Approved as part of the two-year Foreign Relations Authorization Act, the legislation directs the State Department to take actions to reduce the massive backlog of license applications that impedes legitimate trade with our allies.

Manzullo originally introduced the provision as stand-alone legislation in 2007 with Reps. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Roy Blunt (R-MO). Specifically, it would:

1. Direct the Secretary of State to review the U.S. export control system within 18 months and offer recommendations to strengthen controls, improve efficiency, and reduce redundancies across federal agencies;
2. Require the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) to have at least 1 licensing officer for every 1,250 applications by Fiscal Year 2011 to prevent future backlogs;

• Require the DDTC to assign no less than 3 individuals by Fiscal Year 2010 to review applications for commodity jurisdiction determinations;

• Create a performance goal of no longer than 60 days to process a defense trade license;
• Create a performance goal of no longer than 30 days to process a defense trade license for close allies;
• Establish a 7-day processing time for defense trade licenses from our close allies in support of combat operations or peacekeeping or humanitarian operations with U.S. Armed Forces;
• Increase the transparency of commodity jurisdiction determinations with publication of those decisions on the Internet;
• Create a special licensing authorization for U.S.-manufactured spare and replacement parts or components in connection with defense items previously lawfully exported to our close allies;
• Increase the representation and augment the input of the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) into the State Department’s defense trade agenda;
• Add South Korea and Israel to the list of NATO+3 countries receiving expedited consideration for the export of U.S. defense items.

The legislation included another Manzullo priority to strengthen export promotion activities for our nation’s 26 million small businesses and small manufacturers to the world’s fastest growing markets.

By making it easier for small businesses and manufacturers to participate at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Manzullo provision removes a significant barrier that prevented small businesses from being more competitive with their foreign competitors.

The Manzullo provision designates a Small Business Liaison at the State Department and adds a small business website to the Department’s homepage to facilitate direct communication for small businesses seeking to export overseas.

In 2007, the Rockford area exported $1.4 billion worth of goods to the world.

The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.

“This legislation streamlines the process, reduces the application backlog, and allows greater scrutiny on sensitive exports that could harm our country,” Manzullo said. “It would better protect our nation while helping U.S. companies sell more goods and services to our allies, creating more jobs for Americans.”