House Panel Advances Bills on Controlling AI Exports, Arming Israel

The House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 22 approved bills that could expand controls on artificial intelligence exports and increase congressional oversight of arms transfers to Israel.

The AI bill, which the committee endorsed by a 43-3 vote, would allow the Bureau of Industry and Security to require export licenses for artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies (see 2405100063). Titled the Enhancing National Frameworks for Overseas Restriction of Critical Exports (ENFORCE) Act, the legislation would close a "dangerous" loophole in existing law by giving BIS clear legal authority to restrict exports of AI software to foreign adversaries, including China, committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said.

As China “looks to expand their technology advancements to enhance their surveillance state and war machine, it is critical that we protect our sensitive technology from falling into their hands,” McCaul said.

The committee accepted an amendment that would set a five-year sunset on the export controls to give Congress a chance to re-evaluate the authorities. The amendment also would require BIS to take input from industry, academia and other government agencies on implementing the bill.

The arms transfer bill, which the committee approved by a 33-13 vote, would require the president to notify Congress before pausing deliveries to Israel, and it would give lawmakers an opportunity to vote on a resolution to block a proposed suspension. Titled the Maintaining Our Ironclad Commitment to Israel’s Security Act, the legislation reflects lawmakers’ concern about the Biden administration’s recent decision to pause the delivery of certain offensive weapons to Israel without consulting Congress.

The committee approved an amendment by Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, to exclude presidential drawdown authority from the Israel bill. McCaul said the drawdown authority has not been used for Israel in many years.

The committee defeated an amendment by ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., that would have applied the bill to all recipients of U.S. arms transfers, not just Israel.