On the recordMay 14, 2015
I thank the chairman and the ranking member for including my amendment in this en bloc. Section 3119 of the bill, as reported from the Armed Services Committee, seeks to deal with a significant issue that has come to light regarding some commercial nuclear transfers. The potential for some U.S. reactor technology to be diverted by recipient countries with naval programs is a serious concern that needs to be addressed. Section 3119 begins that process. My amendment is designed to improve it. There has been discussion in the press and in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the renewal of the China 123 agreement that China would divert U.S. nuclear technology to its naval program, particularly with regard to the propulsion of naval vessels. My amendment would streamline the process by which we would license technology under a 123 agreement. It would also provide that Congress should be notified whenever there is substantial evidence that the 123 agreement, a nuclear cooperation agreement, has been violated, as, perhaps, when nuclear technology is diverted for military purposes, including the propulsion of naval vessels. Most importantly, we know that China has not yet taken the steps it needs to take to prevent proliferation.…
