Harry Reid: “I held in August, in Reno, NV, a high-tech townhall meeting. I have held a number in Nevada. Although we do not…”

“I held in August, in Reno, NV, a high-tech townhall meeting. I have held a number in Nevada. Although we do not manufacture a lot of computers and computer equipment in Nevada, we have a high-tech industry. There is no issue more important to them than passing this legislation. If it is important to people in the high-tech industry in Nevada, it is also important in the high-tech industry around the country. I have had numerous calls over the last year and a half from companies around America indicating the importance of this legislation. It is high time we did something about this. I applaud and commend Senators Sarbanes and Gramm, the chairman and ranking member of the committee of jurisdiction, for their advocacy for the last many months on this issue. Of course, members of the committee, Senators Enzi and Johnson, have worked extremely hard and have done exemplary work in helping move the legislation. I strongly support passage of S. 149. This bill is a product of many years of hard work. A number of people have worked on this. I worked with my friend, Senator Bennett of Utah, on the appropriations level making sure, especially last year, we had some legislation impacting on this. This bill represents a well-crafted, appropriate balance between a more modern, effective export control system and the U.S. national security interests.”