Orrin Hatch: “last Thursday the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, the conference report on H.R. 2281, the Digital Millennium…”

“last Thursday the Senate approved, by unanimous consent, the conference report on H.R. 2281, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). I rise today to laud the House's action in adding its vote of approval to that of the Senate. The bill now goes to the President, who I expect will move swiftly to sign this important legislation into law. As I said last Thursday, and on many other occasions, I believe the DMCA is one of the most important pieces of legislation to be considered by Congress this year, even in recent memory. It has been over twenty years since such significant copyright law reforms have been enacted in this country, and this vote has come at a critical juncture in our nation's transition to a ``digital millennium.'' But all this would not have happened without the critical support of countless parties who have come together in negotiations to refine the bill and reach a compromise that best promotes American interests at home and abroad. Once again, I want to thank all of the conferees who participated in bringing this legislation to closure. In particular, I want to recognize the efforts of my counterparts on the Senate side, Senator Leahy and Senator Thurmond.”