Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security
Encyclopedia
The Under Secretary for Industry and Security is a high-ranking official in the United States Department of Commerce
tasked with executing the Bureau of Industry and Security
's (BIS) policy and its daily operation. The job of Under Secretary entails the advancement U.S. foreign policy and economic goals through effective export/import controls, international treaty compliance, and through the promotion of continued U.S. technological strategic leadership. The BIS was created in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001 to assist in ensuring United States global security interests.
In addition to being a recognized expert in trade law, Hirschhorn has amassed experience in the legislative branch as a congressional staffer and in the executive branch as a member of the Carter administration. His far-reaching background is a real asset in his capacity as under secretary for export administration, a position that requires close consultation with all the major players in the national security
establishment.
Hirschhorn is the Commerce Department’s point person on an inter-agency review of exports controls that was ordered by President Barack Obama
in 2009. The initiative — which aims to double exports from the U.S. in five years’ time — is likely to result in major changes to the BIS licensing system that is used to limit shipments of sensitive military technology from America’s shores.
United States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
tasked with executing the Bureau of Industry and Security
Bureau of Industry and Security
The Bureau of Industry and Security is an agency of the United States Department of Commerce which deals with issues involving national security and high technology. A principal goal for the bureau is helping stop proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, while furthering the growth of United...
's (BIS) policy and its daily operation. The job of Under Secretary entails the advancement U.S. foreign policy and economic goals through effective export/import controls, international treaty compliance, and through the promotion of continued U.S. technological strategic leadership. The BIS was created in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001 to assist in ensuring United States global security interests.
Current Under Secretary
The current Under Secretary, Eric L. Hirschhorn is the top official at the BIS), a small federal agency that regulates the flow of exports from the United States.In addition to being a recognized expert in trade law, Hirschhorn has amassed experience in the legislative branch as a congressional staffer and in the executive branch as a member of the Carter administration. His far-reaching background is a real asset in his capacity as under secretary for export administration, a position that requires close consultation with all the major players in the national security
National security
National security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II...
establishment.
- “I think this job is, above all, a national security job,” Hirschhorn said at his Senate confirmation hearing. -- Testimony, Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, November 5, 2009(1)Testimony, Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, November 5, 2009
Hirschhorn is the Commerce Department’s point person on an inter-agency review of exports controls that was ordered by President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in 2009. The initiative — which aims to double exports from the U.S. in five years’ time — is likely to result in major changes to the BIS licensing system that is used to limit shipments of sensitive military technology from America’s shores.