Some technology vendors and advocacy groups see new opportunities in the U.S. Congress in 2007, with issues such as patent reform and data protection getting fresh life under a Democratic-controlled legislature. Democrats took control of the Senate and the House of Representatives in November"s election, and many technology advocates say they expect Democrats will focus on some issues on the backburner in the past Republican Congress. Some tech vendors praised Republicans for their focus on free trade and Internet tax moratoriums, but others say the Republican Congress failed to act on several important issues.
"We"re excited about the new Congress," said Jack Krumholtz, managing director of federal government affairs and associate general counsel at Microsoft Corp. "We think there"s an opportunity to get some things done."