According to the [Department of Commerce], the new rule is intended to “reduce the risk of legally exported firearms and related items being diverted or misused to fuel regional instability, drug trafficking, human rights violations, political violence, and other activities that undermine U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.”
However, [Senator Tim] Scott alleged in a letter to Raimondo that the new policy is an example of Biden using the administrative state and the rule-making process as a means to “target legal U.S. industries and advance progressive policies.”
“We are concerned that the Department issued the Rule in an attempt to intentionally harm the firearms industry,” the letter continued.
The Republicans slammed the fact that the new rule would “revoke existing licensing for 36 countries and subject current license holders to a new licensing system.” Per the lawmakers, this is unprecedented, as the U.S. “did not take such a drastic step even when acting on grave national security threats in the past, including previous actions related to Chinese hypersonic missiles, nuclear weapons proliferation, or China’s resumed exercise of authority over Hong Kong.”
The letter additionally requested that Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Undersecretary Alan Estevez and Assistant Secretary Thea Kendler are made available to potentially testify before the banking committee.
— Julia Johnson in Biden Admin Skewered by GOP for Rule Designed to ‘Intentionally Harm’ Gun Industry