Republican Reps. Chris Smith of New Jersey and Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, both members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced on Jan. 11 a bill that would impose economic sanctions on Nicaragua’s government for human rights violations, including the persecution of clergy and political dissidents and the forced exile of thousands of people.
The Senate Banking Committee held a hearing Jan. 11 to renew its push for congressional passage of the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, which would use sanctions and anti-money laundering measures to counter the illicit fentanyl supply chain that is blamed for tens of thousands of American deaths annually.
Members of the U.K. Parliament this week questioned whether the government should be imposing more restrictions on China, including through human rights sanctions on Hong Kong officials and export restrictions on a broader range of Chinese technology companies. They also urged the U.K. to share the results of a possible review of its arms export policies toward Israel, which at least one member said hasn’t been transparent.
The Commerce Department plans to announce a “department-wide” strategy in the “weeks ahead” that will address its major priorities in national security, Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves said on Jan. 9.
The U.S. shouldn’t rush to impose new export controls on sensitive lidar technology, experts said, mostly because American firms may not have chokepoints over lidar and the restrictions may hurt U.S. export revenue.
Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., chairman of the House Select Committee on China, has urged the Commerce Department to consider placing the United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm Group 42 Holdings (G42) on the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Entity List, citing possible export control risks from the company’s work with China’s military, intelligence services and state-owned companies.
The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network should do a better job informing small businesses about its new beneficial ownership information reporting requirements (see 2401050023), Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., said in a Jan. 5 press release.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, urged the Biden administration to reinstate the Houthis’ designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing the Yemen-based group’s recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
The Commerce Department is accepting nominations for a relaunched industry advisory committee that will provide input on U.S. export control regulations.
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., who chairs the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance and International Financial Institutions, announced Jan. 4 that he will not seek reelection in 2024.