Political Quotes

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Madam Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3309, the Innovation Act. Each day, all across the United States, small businesses and entrepreneurs are receiving abusive letters that insist the recipient has somehow violated a patent. He or she is left with the option of complying with the letter's demands, such as by sending a check for $50,000--and all will be forgotten--or taking it to court, which could cost millions of dollars and put these businesses out of business. In 2011, patent trolls cost the American economy $29 billion. I want to skip the notes and go right to commonsense legislation. This is what it is: A veteran from Afghanistan came in to see me. He saved his money that he had earned while protecting this country. He has got a little laptop that has communications with his printer, and a troll is suing him, saying he violated the patent. My computer at home talks to my printer, and my kids' computer at home talks to my printer, so we must be violating some patent of some sort. This is abusive legislation. It is putting our small business entrepreneurs out of business. I urge my colleagues to support this.”