Disarmament Diplomacy

Issue No. 48, July 2000

Senate Relaxes Computer Export Regulations

On July 12, the US Senate adopted, by 86 votes to 11, an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill reducing from 180 to 60 days the period during which Congress can review changes to restrictions on exports of high-performance computers. A similar amendment had already been adopted in the House of Representatives. President Clinton has made such changes four times since 1993. The Administration had requested Congress for a review period of only 30 days. The majority view on the matter was expressed by Robert Bennett (Republican - Utah): "Today's vote is a big victory for the US high-technology industry and for the jobs and economic growth that this important industry has generated…" The minority view was expressed by Fred Thompson (Republican - Tennessee): "The Chinese…are using our technology… They are specifically using our high-performance computers to enhance their own nuclear capabilities. Potentially, they will be used against our own country."

Report: Sen votes on computer export rules, Associated Press, July 12.

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