Forbes-Smith Bill Fights Foreign Espionage

Press Release

Forbes-Smith Bill Fights Foreign Espionage

Republicans today announced new legislation that provides for increased protections against foreign espionage. The "Supporting Prosecutions of International Espionage Schemes Act of 2007" (SPIES Act) updates existing laws to provide law enforcement and intelligence officials with better tools to protect sensitive information.

Introduced by House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA), the SPIES Act reforms existing espionage laws to address outdated statutes, as well as increase criminal penalties for espionage crimes.
The Act is cosponsored by Reps. Howard Coble (R-NC), Elton Gallegly (R-CA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA).

"Espionage poses a very real threat to our national security and economic stability," stated Ranking Member Smith. "As the Director of National Intelligence recently testified, China and Russia's foreign intelligence services are approaching Cold War levels."

"Foreign intelligence operations rely on both legal and illegal means to gather sensitive information," said Smith. "It has been estimated that there are between 2,000 and 3,000 Chinese front companies operating in the United States to gather secret or proprietary information. Other countries have been known to use business solicitations, university research and product development, acquisition of American companies, and even attendance at seminars and conventions in order to obtain highly-sensitive and classified information."

"Circumventing export controls is another way intelligence operations seek to obtain sensitive information," Smith continued. "A recent case in Pennsylvania involved the illegal export of components that can be used in nuclear reactors and ballistic missiles to the United American Emirates. The components were ultimately routed to Pakistan."

"The SPIES Act increases penalties for violations of the Arms Export Control Act and the Export Administration Act and improves the coordination among the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, State and Commerce on the enforcement of export controls," added Smith. "The act also expands the coverage of espionage laws to include terrorist organizations."

"Protecting sensitive technology, trade secrets and classified information is critical for our national security and economic stability," concluded Smith. "The SPIES Act ensures that law enforcement officials can effectively prosecute individuals and companies who violate export laws and engage in acts of espionage."

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