Russ Feingold: “I will oppose the pending legislation to reauthorize the Export Administration Act. I agree with the bill's proponents…”

“I will oppose the pending legislation to reauthorize the Export Administration Act. I agree with the bill's proponents and with the Administration that we should have a statutory export control process. I am concerned, however, that the process provided for in this legislation is far too relaxed and could be harmful to our national security--the very security that the EAA is supposed to protect. It is troubling that the debate on this important piece of national security legislation has revolved around what is good for American business rather than on what is necessary to protect the national security interests of this country. The purpose of the EAA is to protect the national security of the United States, which may mean barring certain types of sensitive technology from being exported. I fear that this bill tips the scale dangerously in favor of expanded commerce at the expense of our national security.”