FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 1, 2000

CONTACT: BRAD SMITH PHONE: 202-225-2305

Dreier Reacts to New Computer Export Control Announcements

Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, today issued the following statement in regards to the White House announcement that computer export control thresholds will be raised:

"I am pleased that the Administration has again joined many of us in Congress in recognizing that America's world-class computer industry faces a problem as outdated export control limits threaten American jobs without offering any real national security benefit.

"Today’s proposal will help alleviate a short-term problem, and I am committed to seeing that the new proposals go into effect. At the same time, the fact that the President recognizes that these MTOP numbers will need to be revisited within three months illustrates that this step does not go far enough. As Governor Bush of Texas has pointed out, the current export controls on business computers are fundamentally flawed and must be changed so that we maintain America’s technology leadership while keeping truly dangerous technologies out of the hands of the wrong people.

"Our cutting edge computer industry is constantly recreating itself with technological advances that are the envy of the world. I will continue to work with bipartisan Congressional leaders and the Administration to bring our export control laws in line with the pace of technological change."

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