For many years, the U.S. government has played an active role in promoting U.S. commercial export of goods and services by administering various forms of export assistance through federal government agencies. Congress has had a long-standing interest in the effectiveness and efficiency of federal export promotion activities and may exercise export promotion authority in a number of ways, including through oversight, authorization, and funding roles. The recent global economic downturn has renewed congressional interest in U.S. government efforts to expand U.S. exports levels. This book discusses and analyzes U.S. export trends to provide context and federal export promotion efforts, with a focus on the National Export Initiative (NEI) and policy issues raised for Congress by such activities.