Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich., called on the Bureau of Industry and Security Aug. 14 to return China’s Institute of Forensic Science to the BIS Entity List, citing the lab’s "continual and well-documented" human rights abuses.
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Aug. 13 that the State Department’s newly released annual report on human rights highlights the Republic of Georgia’s crackdown on freedom of speech and association and underscores the need for Congress to approve a bill to sanction officials who undermine democracy in the country.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said Aug. 13 that she welcomes the Trump administration’s newly revealed plans to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization.
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Aug. 8 that he would oppose any possible weapons transfers to Azerbaijan, citing the country’s past “aggression” toward Armenia. His comment came the same day that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a peace deal as well as bilateral economic agreements with the U.S.
Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., urged the Trump administration Aug. 8 to consider imposing sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against those responsible for transnational financial repression of Barlyk Mendygaziyev, a Kazakhstani businessperson based in the U.S.
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urged the Bureau of Industry and Security on Aug. 11 to “move quickly” to remove its export controls on Syria to help the country recover from a 14-year civil war.
Two Republican lawmakers gave different views Aug. 12 on the Trump administration’s decision to allow Nvidia and AMD to sell certain controlled chips to China in exchange for a portion of their sales revenue (see 2508110044).
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, introduced a bill Aug. 8 that would sanction persons who knowingly provide content or media services to sanctioned foreign propaganda outlets. The bill was referred to several committees, including House Foreign Affairs. Further information on the legislation wasn’t immediately available.
Reps. Jason Crow, D-Colo., and Tom Kean, R-N.J., reintroduced a bill Aug. 8 that would authorize $100 million over four years to upgrade the Bureau of Industry and Security’s aging information technology systems.
Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., whose state hosts the headquarters of U.S. Steel, said Aug. 8 that he remains pleased that Japan-based Nippon Steel completed its acquisition of the American company in June (see 2506160036), saying the deal will provide the domestic steelmaker with much-needed investment.