The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) applauded the release of the House Judiciary Committee's "Innovation and Competitiveness Policy Agenda" by Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA).

"We look forward to working with Chairman Goodlatte and the House Judiciary Committee to advance an innovation and competitiveness agenda that supports the growing tech economy," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. "It's certainly a positive step that encryption, skilled immigration and patent reform are focal points of this agenda. Patent trolls bleed $1.5 billion a week from the U.S. economy – legalized extortion that begs for a congressional solution. And for every H-1B worker in the U.S., 1.83 jobs for native-born Americans are created – proof that revising our skilled immigration system will further boost the economy. We need to foster and environment that allows innovators and entrepreneurs to thrive, expand and create jobs. The longer we delay patent reform and high-skilled immigration reform, the more likely it is we'll lose ground to our competitors."