Beyond Control: Reforming Export Licensing Agencies for National Security and Economic Interests

In January 2007, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued an update of its High-Risk List, which included U.S. government programs that identify and protect critical weapon and military useful technologies. The GAO report revealed that while each program within the Federal government has its own set of challenges, poor coordination, inefficient operations, and lack of systematic evaluations risked U.S. national security and economic interests. In light of the ongoing export control system management challenges, the hearing will examine the structure of Federal government agencies that are responsible for licensing controlled exports, the processes in place for licensing, how those structures help or hinder decision making for licenses, human capital challenges of the export control bureaucracy, and recommendations for improving the export control processes and personnel.