The oversight chair has asked the commerce secretary for information surrounding the decision to pause export licenses.
Representative James Comer of Kentucky, chair of the House Oversight Committee, has requested Secretary Gina Raimondo turn over documents and internal communications regarding the Commerce Department’s decision to suspend export licenses for civilian firearms and ammunition to certain countries for 90 days. The department made this decision on October 27.
Representative Comer said in his request that the committee wants “a full accounting of this action and how it will impact U.S. firearms manufacturers and the jobs that industry provides.”
The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to the request. The department stated in October that the suspension was necessary to assess the “risk of firearms being diverted to entities or activities that promote regional instability, violate human rights, or fuel criminal activities.”
Chair Comer stated that the department “did not provide any examples of such activity or any explanation why existing export regulations need amending to address the alleged issues.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chair Comer as he seeks to ensure the validity of the rationale for the temporary suspension of gun exports.
- For Commerce Secretary Raimondo to respond to the House Oversight Committee request in a timely manner.
- For U.S. officials as they implement policies in the name of civil and human rights.
Sources: Reuters, Oversight.House.gov
