From: "Shabbir J. Safdar" <shabbir@panix.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Jul 94 22:36:06 PDT
To: vtw-announce@panix.com
Subject: HR 3937 comes to the floor this wednesday with a "good" amendment!
Message-ID: <199407180523.AA01390@panix3.panix.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


[updated July 18, 1994 shabbir]

[HR 3937 COMES TO THE FLOOR WEDNESDAY JULY 20TH; YOUR ACTION NEEDED]
[PLEASE CHECK THE "WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW" SECTION!]
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                        DISTRIBUTE WIDELY
 
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Table of contents:
	Introduction & Alert
	Status of the bill
	What you can do right now
	List of legislators supporting HR 3937 (formerly HR 3627)
	List of legislators wavering on HR 3937 (formerly HR 3627)
	List of legislators opposing HR 3937 (formerly HR 3627)
	What is the Cantwell bill?

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INTRODUCTION

Voters Telecomm Watch keeps scorecards on legislators' positions on 
legislation that affects telecommunications and civil liberties.
If you have updates to a legislator's positions, from either:

	-public testimony,
	-reply letters from the legislator,
	-stated positions from their office,

please contact vtw@panix.com so they can be added to this list.

General questions: 	vtw@panix.com
Mailing List Requests: 	vtw-list-request@panix.com
Press Contact: 		stc@panix.com
Gopher URL: 		gopher://gopher.panix.com:70/1/1/vtw
WWW URL:		Be patient; we're working on it. :-)
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STATUS OF THE BILL (updated 7/18/94)

The Cantwell bill HR3627, that allows for fewer restrictions on exports
of cryptography, was rolled into the General Export Administration Act
HR 3937.  The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the full strength
version out of committee after open, public hearings.  The House
Intelligence Committee took the bill and gutted it after a day of
closed, secret hearings.  The gutted version will come to the House
floor on Wednesday July 20th.

A amendment that reinstates Rep. Maria Cantwell's cryptography export
provisions WILL be offered.  It is crucial that you ensure that your
representative knows that you support ONLY the amended version of this
bill.

This may be the last thing you can do for the cryptographic export
legislation.  Take the time to make a call!

Schedule/Chronology of the bill
Jul 20, 94  HR3937 comes to House floor; a "good" amendement will be offered
	    [YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED TO PASS THIS]
Jul 11, 94  House Rules Committee marks HR3937 "open"; allowing amendments
Jun 30, 94  [*** vote postponed, perhaps till the week of 7/11/94]
	    House Rules Comm. decides whether to allow amendments
	    on the bill when it reaches the House floor 
Jun 14, 94  Gutted by the House Select Committee on Intelligence 
May 20, 94  Referred to the House Select Committee on Intelligence 
May 18, 94  Passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 18
	    attached to HR 3937, the General Export Administration Act
Dec  6, 93  Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Trade and
Nov 22, 93  Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW

Estimated time to do this good deed: Six minutes

Your legislator needs to know that you want them to support HR3937
but only with an amendment including Rep. Maria Cantwell's cryptography
export provisions.

If you wish to fax a letter instead of calling, that's fine too.

If you don't know who your representative is, call:

	-The League of Women Voters in your area, or
	-Any representative from your state.  They will tell you which
	 is yours.

You can obtain a complete copy of all representatives by:
	-checking the VTW gopher site:

		URL:gopher://gopher.panix.com:70/1/1/vtw
		(check under Congress)

	-or by dropping a note to vtw@panix.com

[Our directory is a bit out of date.  Please check all fax numbers before
sending.  People volunteering to obtain a new directory for us are
welcome to help out.]

Feel free to use the following sample communique:

	The Honorable ____________
	address
	Washington DC, 20515

	Dear Congressman or Congresswoman,

	On Wed. July 20th, HR 3937 (General Export Administration Act)
	comes to the floor.  Please support HR3937 but only with an
	amendment including Rep. Maria Cantwell's cryptography export
	provisions.  These provisions are crucial to the development of
	privacy-enhancing technology as the competitiveness of the
	American cryptographic industry.

	Sincerely,

	_________________________________


A shorter telephone sample communique might be:

	Dear Congressman or Congresswoman,

	Please support HR3937 but only with an amendment including
	Rep.  Maria Cantwell's cryptography export provisions.

	Thank you.

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LIST OF LEGISLATORS SUPPORTING CRYPTOGRAPHY EXPORT LEGISLATION

The following legislators have formally registered support for
cryptography export legislation.  Call them with your cheers.

All addresses are Washington, D.C. 20515

   Dist ST Name, Address, and Party       Phone            Fax
   ==== == ========================       ==============   ==============
      1 WA Cantwell, Maria (D)            1-202-225-6311   1-202-225-2286
             1520 LHOB
	HR 3627's sponsor; thank her for her work!

     16 IL Manzullo, Donald (R)           1-202-225-5676   1-202-225-5284
             506 Cannon
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 11/22/93
 
      3 UT Orton, William H. (D)          1-202-225-7751   1-202-226-1223
             1122 LHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

      3 OR Wyden, Ronald (D)              1-202-225-4811   1-202-225-8941
             1111 LHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

     16 CA Edwards, Donald (D)            1-202-225-3072   1-202-225-9460
             2307 RHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

     19 OH Fingerhut, Eric D. (D)         1-202-225-5731   1-202-225-9114
             431 Cannon
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

      4 MA Frank, Barney (D)              1-202-225-5931   1-202-225-0182
             2404 RHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

      2 UT Shepherd, Karen (D)            1-202-225-3011   1-202-226-0354
             414 Cannon
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

      3 WA Unsoeld, Jolene (D)            1-202-225-3536   1-202-225-9095
             1527 LHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

     19 FL Johnston II, Harry (D)         1-202-225-3001   1-202-225-8791
             204 Cannon
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

      9 WA Kreidler, Mike (D)             1-202-225-8901   1-202-226-2361
             1535 LHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

      4 WA Inslee, Jay (D)                1-202-225-5816   1-202-226-1137
             1431 LHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

      7 WA McDermott, James A. (D)        1-202-225-3106   1-202-225-9212
             1707 LHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

      8 IN McCloskey, Frank (D)           1-202-225-4636   1-202-225-4688
             306 Cannon
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

     14 CA Eshoo, Anna G. (D)             1-202-225-8104   1-202-225-8890
             1505 LHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 03/22/94

     10 NC Ballenger, Thomas C. (R)       1-202-225-2576   1-202-225-0316
             2238 RHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 05/04/94

      2 WA Swift, Al (D)                  1-202-225-2605   1-202-225-2608
             1502 LHOB
	Cosponsored HR 3627 on 05/04/94

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LIST OF LEGISLATORS WAVERING ON CRYPTOGRAPHY EXPORT LEGISLATION
[Feel free to use the sample communique at the end of the FAQ when calling
 or writing a legislator.]

     26 NY Hinchey, Maurice D. (D)        1-202-225-6335   1-202-226-0774
             1313 LHOB
	Recently told a constituent that he is taking the Cantwell bill
	under consideration, but has "national security concerns" about
	allowing encryption to be exported outside the United States.

      1 IA Leach, James (R)               1-202-225-6576   1-202-226-1278
             2186 RHOB
	Has yet to answer a constituent letter with a stated position.

     13 NY Molinari, Susan (D)            1-202-225-3371   1-202-226-1272
             123 Cannon
	Has yet to answer a constituent letter with a stated position.
	(has taken inordinately long)

      8 NY Nadler, Jerrold (D)            1-202-225-5635   1-202-225-6923
             424 Cannon
	Met with lobbying constituent in April '94; no position taken yet

     25 CA McKeon, Howard P. (R)          1-202-225-1956   1-202-226-0683 
             307 Cannon
	Responded to a constituent with a "non-position", May '94
	Had a favorable meeting with a constituent and a VTW volunteer
		in May '94.

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LIST OF LEGISLATORS OPPOSING CRYPTOGRAPHY EXPORT LEGISLATION
[Feel free to use the sample communique at the end of the FAQ when calling
 or writing a legislator.]

   Dist ST Name, Address, and Party       Phone            Fax
   ==== == ========================       ==============   ==============
      5 AL Cramer Jr, Robert E. (D)       1-202-225-4801   1-202-225-4392
             1318 LHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      8 CA Pelosi, Nancy (D)              1-202-225-4965   1-202-225-8259
             240 Cannon
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

     32 CA Dixon, Julian C. (D)           1-202-225-7084   1-202-225-4091
             2400 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

     40 CA Lewis, Jerry (R)               1-202-225-5861   1-202-225-6498
             2312 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

     46 CA Dornan, Robert K. (R)          1-202-225-2965   no reliable fax
             2402 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      2 CO Skaggs, David E. (D)           1-202-225-2161   1-202-225-9127
             1124 LHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

     10 FL Young, C. W. (R)               1-202-225-5961   1-202-225-9764 
             2407 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      4 KS Glickman, Daniel (D)           1-202-225-6216   1-202-225-5398
             2371 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      1 NE Bereuter, Douglas (R)          1-202-225-4806   1-202-226-1148 
             2348 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      9 NJ Torricelli, Robert (D)         1-202-224-5061   1-202-225-0843
             2159 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      3 NM Richardson, William (D)        1-202-225-6190   no reliable fax
             2349 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      1 NV Bilbray, James H. (D)          1-202-225-5965   1-202-225-8808
             2431 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

     17 PA Gekas, George W. (R)           1-202-225-4315   1-202-225-8440
             2410 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      2 RI Reed, John F. (D)              1-202-225-2735   1-202-225-9580
             1510 LHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

     14 TX Laughlin, Gregory H. (D)       1-202-225-2831   1-202-225-1108 
             236 Cannon 
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

     16 TX Coleman, Ronald D. (D)         1-202-225-4831   None
             440 Cannon
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

     19 TX Combest, Larry (R)             1-202-225-4005   1-202-225-9615
             1511 LHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      1 UT Hansen, James V. (R)           1-202-225-0453   1-202-225-5857
             2466 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

      6 WA Dicks, Norman D. (D)           1-202-225-5916   1-202-226-1176
             2467 RHOB
 
        FAILED Cryptography exports:
                Voted to kill Rep. Cantwell's export provisions in the
                House Intelligence Committee on 6/15/94.

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What is the Cantwell bill?

The Cantwell bill would permit companies to export products with
encryption technology in them.  US companies are currently
not permitted to export products (hardware or software) with this
technology in them.


What is encryption technology?

Encryption technology, or cryptography, is the art of scrambling 
a conversation so that only the people communicating can decode
it.  Other people (such as eavesdroppers) cannot learn about
the conversation.


Where is cryptography being used?

Cryptography is used to encrypt electronic mail to protect its confidentiality
in transit.  It's used by bank automatic teller machines to protect
sensitive data (such as your account number, your Personal Identification
Number, and your bank balance).  It can be implemented into software
(such as electronic mail programs and word processors) as well as hardware
(such as telephones and "walkie-talkies") to ensure your privacy.


Why is there a restriction on exporting products with technology
in them?

For many years the United States poured vast sums of money into
cryptography.  The US government thought that if they did not let this
technology be exported, foreign individuals would not be able to obtain
it and use it against us (by keeping US intelligence agencies from
eavesdropping on their communications)

Today, many companies selling cryptographic technology are producing
their products for the global market.  A recent Software Publishers'
Association Report (available from the VTW gopher) identified over 200
non-US companies producing cryptographic technology in the global
marketplace.  You can buy the same, high-quality cryptographic
technology from many international firms despite the US export
regulations.  Although the marketplace has changed, the regulations
have not.


Why should the regulations be changed?

US companies compete in a global marketplace.  Because of the export
regulations, they often compete alongside products with superior
cryptographic capabilities built into them.

The result is that US companies build their products with
an inferior encryption technology.  The result of this is that
you, as an American consumer, have great difficulty obtaining
products with strong encryption in them.

Because US products cannot compete against products with better 
privacy features, and because the laws are outdated, the regulations
should be changed.  The Cantwell bill fixes these regulations to more
accurately resemble the current situation of the world marketplace.


How can I help encourage more privacy-enhanced products and
pass the Cantwell bill?

Call or write your representative and ask them to support or cosponsor
Rep. Cantwell's export provisions (formerly HR 3627) in the General
Export Administration Act, HR 3937.  You can base your letter on the
sample communication below.


SAMPLE LETTER OR PHONE CALL

The Honorable ____________
address
Washington DC, 20515

Dear Congressman or Congresswoman,

As a citizen concerned for my privacy, as well as a supporter of
American business, I urge you to cosponsor the Rep. Cantwell's
cryptographic export provisions (formerly HR 3627) in the General
Export Administration Act, HR 3937.

The bill would allow US companies to produce and export products with
cryptographic privacy-enhancing technology in them.  These products
are already available from firms throughout the world.  US companies
lose nearly $100 million per year in exports to them.

By encouraging this industry, ordinary citizens like you and me would
be able to purchase products with better privacy features.

Please support or co-sponsor HR 3937.

Sincerely,

___________________________________ 

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