Senate Adopts Anti-boycott Bill; House Action Expected Today

The Senate last night adopted by a voice vote the Senate-House conference Export Administration Act with its provisions countering the Arab boycott of Israel, companies doing business with Israel and Jewish-managed concerns. No dissent was heard as the legislation was approved without debate. The House is expected to take up the legislation tomorrow with similar overwhelming approval forecast. It will then go to the White House for President Carter to sign the measure into law.

Edgar M. Bronfman, chairman of the World Jewish Congress Coordinating Committee on the Arab Boycott, described the legislation as “reasonable” and that “sensible legislation aimed at the Arab boycott” was reached in discussions between American business, the American community and the Carter Administration.

“From the point of view of the American Jewish community, the bill certainly is not perfect, “Bronfman said. “But it is a good bill squarely putting the United States and its business community on record against boycott practices. From the standpoint of American business, the legislation may still cause some difficulties. But it is reasonable. Much is still to be worked out in the Commerce Department’s implementation of the new policy. But both sides are–and have good reason to be–proud of themselves.”

Stanley Marcus, the 35-year-old Connecticut lawyer who served as counsel to the Senate Banking Subcommittee that drafted the bulk of the legislation under the direction of Sen. Adlai Stevenson (D. III.), is the new Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce with responsibilities to implement the measure.

The bill is a result of a compromise approved by the Carter Administration and worked out by the Business Roundtable, a group of 170 corporate chief executives, and officials of the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the American Jewish Congress.