WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., joined President Trump in the Oval Office for the signing of the Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act into federal law.
This marks a significant achievement as the first bill signed into federal law authored by Banks, of Columbia City.
This bipartisan law, co-led by Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., was the first piece of legislation introduced by Banks to pass the Senate. It passed unanimously on July 22.
The House companion, sponsored by Rep. Ronny Jackson, TX-13, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 5. Rep. Sara Jacobs, CA-51, was the Democratic co-lead.
This bill would provide the transparency that Congress needs to ensure that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is upholding an effective export control system and preventing U.S. adversaries from getting easy access to key defense goods or national security technologies.
Banks said in the announcement, “I was honored to join President Trump in the Oval Office today as he signed my first bill as a U.S. senator into law. This law will help keep America safe by ensuring our sensitive technology doesn’t end up in the hands of China to be used against us. I promised Hoosiers I’d hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable, and this is an important first step.”