Republican Representative Mark Green from Tennessee is spearheading a drive to rescind a controversial firearms regulation introduced by the Biden administration.

Mark Green, with 69 fellow Republicans, has introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to counteract new export restrictions on firearms imposed by the Biden administration.

According to Daily Caller, this initiative involving stricter firearm export controls has sparked a significant political response. The new rule, issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security on April 30, reshapes the regulatory landscape for U.S. firearms exported abroad.

It shortens the license validity period, introduces a “crime control” licensing criterion, and enforces a “presumption of denial” strategy for exporting to several high-risk countries.

Timeline Leading to Green's Legislative Response

The beginning of this regulatory shift can be traced to an announcement last October when the Biden administration imposed a 90-day pause on issuing new export licenses for civilian firearms.

This moratorium was subsequently extended beyond its initial span, ultimately encompassing more than 180 days.

Subsequently, on April 30, the Biden administration released the new export restrictions. According to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, this regulatory change is aimed at making it significantly harder for "criminals, terrorists, and cartels" to acquire U.S.-manufactured firearms, which she claims misappropriates these weapons against U.S. security and foreign policy objectives.

President Joe Biden, who has a history of endorsing gun control measures dating back to the assault weapons ban in 1994, has consistently extended his advocacy to various gun control efforts during his presidency.

Political and Economic Implications of the New Rule

The announcement of the new firearms export rule prompted immediate reactions from several key stakeholders, particularly those representing states with robust gun manufacturing sectors.

Representative Green, who also introduced the Stop the BIS RULE Act aimed at forbidding federal funding for implementing the new rule, argues that these changes could devastate American businesses and infringe on constitutional rights.

Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, another prominent Republican, echoed Green's sentiments and described the rule as an overtly political maneuver intended to undermine the firearm industry - a move he believes will consequently obliterate U.S. jobs and small businesses supporting the firearm and ammunition sector across the country.

"This rule would not only undercut American business owners but would also impede the ability of individuals overseas to defend themselves while allowing geopolitical adversaries like China and Russia to fill the gap," Green added, highlighting the international ramifications of the policy.

Congress's Role in Curbing Federal Regulatory Powers

The Congressional Review Act, the tool invoked by Green and his colleagues, offers Congress the authority to overturn newly enacted executive branch regulations. Green's pointed criticism of the administration suggests a deep distrust of the executive's unilateral regulatory actions regarding industries critical to the American economy.

"Congress has the authority to rein in rogue federal agencies—it’s time we used it," Green stated emphatically, addressing the need for legislative checks on executive decisions that he perceives as overreaches.

Hagerty's harsh critique of the rule likened it to "Operation Choke Point," describing it as a politically driven effort that significantly endangers Tennessee manufacturers and, by extension, the national firearm and ammunition industry.

Response from the Biden Administration

In her statement defending the new rule, Secretary Raimondo underscored its importance for U.S. national security, arguing that preventing criminals and hostile entities from accessing U.S.-made firearms directly supports America's foreign policy and security interests.

This legislative conflict underscores the ongoing national debate over gun control and rights, regulatory reach, and the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress in shaping U.S. industrial and security policies.

To summarize, Rep. Mark Green is leading a congressional initiative to overturn the Biden administration's new gun export restrictions, citing economic harm and constitutional infringements. The administration defends the rule as essential for national security.