Two U.S. Senators Fail ITAR Literacy Test

Many are understandably upset with the proposed rule from the U.S. State Department to regulate the dissemination of technical data within the public domain. Nevertheless, it helps to know what one is speaking of prior to taking a position. Senator Ron Johnson (R, Wisconsin) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R, Iowa) recently sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry in opposition of the proposed rule. Within the article, the Senators note that “[t]he proposal expands the definition of “Defense Article to include such items as firearms and accompanying software or Technical Data.”

Sorry Senators. Firearms are already squarely within the definition of defense articles, and are clearly regulated under the current ITAR regulations. Notwithstanding the gaff, the Senators ask pointed questions about the validity and Constitutionality of the proposed regulation. Stay tuned, this issue continues to build, with no end in sight.

U.S. Commerce Department removes Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism

On July 22, 2015, the U.S. Commerce Department removed Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism. While this may seem noteworthy, the removal does little to ease export restrictions to Cuba. Although Cuba is no longer on the list, nearly all items exported to Cuba will still require an export license, or applicable export license exemption.