Arlington, VA – 05/16/2012 – Following this week’s introduction of the Sustaining our Most Advanced Researchers and Technology (SMART) Jobs Act of 2012 by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and the Securing the Talent America Requires for the 21st Century (STAR) Act by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) issued the following statement that can be attributed to Michael Petricone, senior vice president, government and regulatory affairs:
 
“It is refreshing to see Senators from both sides of the aisle introducing legislation this week that will help America keep its competitive edge. The SMART Act and the STAR Act highlight the value of strategic immigration by keeping American-educated master’s and doctorate STEM students in the United States.
 
America’s future competitiveness and prosperity relies on the ideas and hard work of the best and the brightest – no matter where they are from. CEA has long been a proponent of strategic immigration reform. Our Innovation Movement is closely following the movement of these bills, and our 200,000 members will continue to seek Congressional support for innovation and entrepreneurialism in America.”