U.S. Chamber Calls for Commercial Satellite Export Control Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The United States Chamber of Commerce today announced its support for legislation to reform the export control process for U.S. commercial satellites, citing its newly released Space Enterprise Council position paper laying out the case for satellite technology export control reform.

"It is critical that the United States continue to lead in the commercial satellite arena for our economic health and national security," said Willard Workman, Chamber vice president and general manager for international affairs. "We must strike the right balance to protect security and empower our commercial satellite industry as it fights to maintain market-share in an increasingly competitive international marketplace."

Reform legislation, H.R. 1707, recently introduced by Reps. Berman (D-CA) and Rohrabacher (R-CA), safeguards the U.S. commercial satellite industry by returning jurisdiction for commercial satellites and components to the U.S. Department of Commerce from the Department of State. At the same time, it protects national security by requiring referral of all satellite-related license applications to the Department of Defense and Department of State.

"U.S. industry was severely impacted when jurisdiction of commercial satellite technology licensing was transferred from Commerce to State," said Mark Bitterman, chairman of the Space Enterprise Council's policy committee and Orbital Sciences Corporation senior vice president for government relations. "The Space Enterprise Council believes that H.R. 1707 will help restore predictability, timeliness, and transparency to the control system. Our position paper also outlines additional measures that can be taken to achieve these goals."

The Chamber launched the Space Enterprise Council last year to bring industry together with the federal government on commercial space initiatives. The Council's members - representing a broad spectrum of aerospace, telecommunications, finance, advertising and other companies - are working to advance the interests of U.S. businesses in the commercial development of space.

The United States Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

# # #

01-107