NW Kentucky News

House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has taken action by issuing a subpoena to the U.S. Department of Commerce for documents related to the Commerce Department's decision to halt the issuance of new export licenses for certain firearms, firearm components, and ammunition to certain countries. Chairman Comer expressed frustration with the Commerce Department's lack of cooperation in providing the requested information, stating, "The Committee initially requested documents and information regarding these matters on November 28, 2023. It has been over 75 days since that request."

The subpoena was issued as a result of the Commerce Department's failure to provide essential internal documents or communications that would shed light on the decision to implement the export pause. Chairman Comer explained, "Commerce only provided 311 pages of public facing materials...devoid of any internal documents or communications that would provide context as to their relevancy to the decision to institute the pause."

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) had announced an approximately 90-day pause on new export licenses for certain firearms, components, and ammunition in October 2023. This move has sparked the Oversight Committee's interest in scrutinizing the Biden Administration's actions in relation to the firearm industry. Chairman Comer emphasized that the Committee's request for documents was aimed at investigating any potential politicization of Commerce's activities and ensuring that the pause was conducted in accordance with the law.

The subpoena issued by Chairman Comer falls under the authority delegated to him by the Rules of the House of Representatives, as he seeks to compel the Commerce Department to provide the necessary information for the Committee's oversight efforts. Interested parties can access the full letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo and the subpoena on the Committee's official website.