High Performance Computers and Export Control Policy: Issues for Congress
Abstract
Congress has a strong interest in export control policy and technologies that may have both commercial and military applications outside of the United States. Through its constitutionally delegated authority to regulate foreign commerce, it has the authority to control exports for national security or foreign policy purposes. The 107th Congress is closely examining issues of national export control policy, including reauthorization of the Export Administration Act (EAA), and control policies concerning key technologies. Among these technologies are High Performance Computers HPCs. HPCs are either single computing machines (usually called supercomputers) or a cluster of easily available, high-end workstations or personal computers. Congressional interest in HPCs has primarily, but not exclusively, been focused on the dual-use applications of HPCs. That is, commercial HPCs that may also be used to simulate nuclear weapon tests, chemical and biological weapons production, and for military command, control, and communications. The 108th Congress likely will again consider the reauthorization of the EAA. Both chambers considered EAA legislation in the 107th Congress. The Senate passed S. 149 on September 6, 2001. H.R. 2581 was ordered reported by the House International Relations Committee on August 1, 2001, and was further amended by the House Armed Services Committee on March 6, 2002. Freestanding legislation was also introduced in both houses of Congress (S. 591, H.R. 1553) to repeal National Defense Authorization Act of 1998 (NDAA98) licensing, notification, and post-shipment verification requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 10, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA445529
Entities
People
- Glenn J. Mcloughlin
- Ian F. Fergusson
Organizations
- Defense Acquisition University