Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Mike Coffman today encouraged aerospace industry stakeholders to submit feedback to the Department of Commerce and State Department about proposed changes to aerospace export control regulations.
The proposed changes build on the lawmakers’ successful efforts to secure satellite export reforms in last year’s Defense Authorization bill.
“Colorado’s growing space industry is a cornerstone of what has helped make our state a national hub of innovation. Our companies are at the forefront of developing the next generation aerospace systems and supporting technologies,” Bennet said. “These proposed changes will give our industries a better ability to compete and succeed in the global marketplace and we’re encouraging them and other local industry experts to provide feedback. It will help ensure that we implement them in a way that protects our national security interests while increasing high-skilled jobs and economic growth in Colorado.”
“Changing the law was just the first step, and now we start the much more complex task of changing regulations. We want to ensure that the intent of the reform is followed, and that these new proposed regulations reduce unnecessary and business-inhibiting roadblocks while still protecting our national security. We look forward to hearing from industry as we move towards this goal,” said Coffman.
Bennet and Coffman announced in April the formation of a working group that would examine additional opportunities for reforms to the export control regulations that will help U.S. companies export their products and technologies to international customers while still protecting our national security interests.
More information on the request for comments from the Department of State can be found by visiting https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-11985, while the Commerce Department’s request for comments can be found at https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-11986.