National Security Review Bodies (Part I): Legal Context and Comparison

Federal law creates several frameworks that allow the United States to review the national security risks posed by some private commercial transactions. These legal frameworks give the United States authority to review, prohibit, and, in some cases, unwind a wide range of commercial dealings, but they do not capture all commercial transactions that might present national security risks.

This Sidebar examines and draws contrasts among several key legal frameworks that allow the United States to review and prohibit some private commercial transactions due to national security risks. A companion Sidebar introduces legal issues that could arise from proposals to expand or create new review mechanisms.