Benjamin Gilman: “this bill modifies authorities with respect to the provision of security assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of…”

“this bill modifies authorities with respect to the provision of security assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act. Most of the provisions have been requested by the administration. Specifically, these provisions address the transfer of excess defense articles, notification requirements for arms sales and authorities to provide for the stockpiling of defense articles in foreign countries. The bill also includes an important bipartisan provision to address the administration's initiative regarding exemptions for defense export licensing to foreign countries. I want to thank the ranking Democrat member for his cooperation on this provision as well as the NGO community for their hard work. The provision in question here goes to the heart of our jurisdiction and role as an authorizing committee. For the past year and a half the administration fought internally to resolve the question of whether we should provide exemptions from licensing for defense exports to foreign countries. The State Department fought the exemption all the way up to the President. They opposed it at the deputies level. They opposed it at the principals level. They opposed it until the President sided with the Department of Defense and overruled them. Now the State Department is putting on its game face and saying the administration is all one big happy family. That's their story and they are sticking to it.”