Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Tim Scott, are pushing back against a move by President Biden’s Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo that they claim is aimed at harming the U.S. firearm industry. The Department of Commerce announced an interim final rule that would revoke valid export licenses from American companies exporting firearms to non-government end users in certain areas. Republicans argue that this rule is an intentional attack on legal U.S. industries and a way for Biden to advance progressive policies through administrative means.
The new rule, according to the Department of Commerce, is intended to reduce the risk of exported firearms being diverted to fuel regional instability, drug trafficking, human rights violations, and other activities that undermine U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. However, Republicans argue that revoking existing licenses for 36 countries and subjecting license holders to a new system is unprecedented and could lead to lost sales earnings and manufacturing jobs. The senators are calling on the Department to withdraw this rule and allow for potential testimony before the banking committee.
Sen. Bill Hagerty and a group of Senate Republicans, including Lindsey Graham, John Thune, Marco Rubio, and others, co-signed a letter to Raimondo expressing their concerns about the potential harm the new rule could have on the firearm industry. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) also criticized the rule, claiming that it is part of the Biden administration’s larger attack on the firearm industry for political purposes. The NSSF argues that the rule is unnecessary and will have negative economic consequences.
The Department of Commerce did not provide comment on the matter, and Senate Republicans are seeking further information by potentially having Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Undersecretary Alan Estevez and Assistant Secretary Thea Kendler testify before the banking committee. Republicans view this move by the Biden administration as an abuse of the rule-making process to target legal U.S. industries and promote progressive policies through administrative means. The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between the Biden administration and Senate Republicans over firearm regulations and policy decisions.
The clash between Senate Republicans and the Biden administration over the new rule on firearm exports underscores the broader divide in Washington over gun control and industry regulations. Republicans are accusing the administration of using the rule-making process to target legal U.S. industries and advance progressive policies. The Democrats, on the other hand, argue that the rule is necessary to reduce the risk of exported firearms being diverted to fuel illegal activities that undermine national security interests.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the Biden administration will withdraw the rule or make any changes to address the concerns raised by Senate Republicans. The clash over the new rule on firearm exports is just one example of the ongoing political battles in Washington over gun control and industry regulations. Both sides are likely to continue fighting over these issues as they seek to advance their respective policy agendas and protect the interests of their constituencies.
