FC: US Chamber of Commerce to Congress: Pass SAFE crypto-bill now!

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[I had an off-the-record lunch this week with five other folks including a
former spook who follow crypto policy. One of the things we talked about was
how the White House encryption announcement effectively kills SAFE. No longer
will House Democrats -- including the leadership -- rally to supuport it and
force a floor vote. Also the move could divide business groups (who got
much of
what they wanted) from privacy groups (who didn't), so it is refreshing to see
the Chamber weigh in here. --Declan]



From: "Lane, Rick" <RLane () USChamber com>
To: "'declan () well com'" <declan () well com>
Subject: RE: Encryption Debate
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 12:56:40 -0400
:


I thought you might find this of interest. 




September 23, 1999


The Honorable Robert Goodlatte
U.S. House of Representatives
2240 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.  20515

Dear Representative Goodlatte:

        The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, representing more than three million
businesses of every size, sector and region, appreciates your leadership in
seeking to establish a national export control policy for encryption
products. 
We are pleased that the Administration has moved in the direction of H.R. 850,
the Security and Freedom through Encryption Act (SAFE).  However, we are
concerned that loosening export controls on encryption products through the
regulatory process without the legislative safeguards contained in H.R. 850
could be detrimental to the long-term interest of the business community.  

        H.R. 850, as reported out of the House Judiciary, Commerce, and
International Relations Committees, included several very important safeguards
that are not listed in the Administration^Òs announcement.  Those provisions
include: 

·       codifying current policy for the lawful use of any encryption
product by
United States persons in the U.S. or abroad;
·       codifying current policy for the lawful sale of any encryption product
within the United States;
·       providing for a specific time-frame for a Department of Commerce
technical review; 
·       preventing the Federal government from using transactions with the
private sector through contracts, procurement and individual contacts to be a
mechanism to encourage or mandate the use of any type of encryption product;
·       prohibiting the imposition of any mandatory key escrow account.
The Honorable Robert Goodlatte
September 23, 1999
Page Two



American businesses need certainty on the exportation of encryption products. 
Such certainty is continually at risk by the regulatory whims of an
Administration or the internal conflicts between various agencies.  That is
why
it is imperative that Congress creates the statutory framework for encryption
exports.  To that end, we ask 
that you continue your effort for a floor vote on H.R. 850.  We look
forward to
working with you to ensure that encryption legislation is enacted.
Sincerely,





Thomas J. Donohue

Cc: Representative Zoe Lofgren
      House Leadership


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