“Industry hails tech promotion authority bill,” writes Broadcasting & Cable.

“Tech companies and trade groups come out in support of the Trade Priorities Act,” reports National Journal.

Or as the Information Technology Industry Council put it, “Tech speaks with one voice in support of TPA.”

These are America’s moviemakers, software developers, and computer manufacturers—the people who drive American innovation. They understand that promoting American trade requires protecting American intellectual property. That’s the only way to keep our competitive edge in the 21^st century. And that’s exactly what TPA will do.

TPA lays out almost 150 negotiating objectives for the administration to pursue in trade deals. Among them is to “ensure that governments refrain from implementing trade-related measures that impede digital trade in goods and services, restrict cross-border data flows, or require local storage or processing of data.”

Former senator Chris Dodd, chairman of the Motion Picture Association of America, praised TPA for precisely this reason:

By establishing clear rules for opening foreign markets to exports of U.S. creative content, promoting innovation and creativity through the protection and enforcement of U.S. intellectual property rights, and fostering legitimate digital trade that will benefit both of creators and consumers this legislation is an important step that will benefit American businesses, workers and the overall economy for years to come.

Microsoft’s general counsel Brad Smith echoed this sentiment:

Passage of renewed TPA, with its updated objectives for digital trade, is critical for America to be able to pursue its interests. And passage is important for Microsoft and our network of more than 400,000 partners, the majority of which are small businesses, to compete in the global economy.

Chris Padilla, vice president of IBM, also spoke in favor: “TPA is a critical step in preserving the transformative role of data, and in strengthening America's economy and competitiveness.”

Here’s more of what they’re saying about TPA:

Victoria Espinel, CEO of BSA, the Software Alliance, said, “This legislation will help ensure that pending trade agreements include necessary rules to promote cross-border data flows.”

Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, said, “TPA that takes a modern approach to trade agreements to ensure a robust digital economy and growth of the Internet isvital to American innovation.”

Dean Garfield, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Council, said, “Tech's message to Congress is simple: supporting TPA will promote job creation and propel us forward in building a strong 21st century economy.”

John Neuffer, CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, said, “TPA represents a much-needed shot in the arm for free trade, which is critical to the U.S. semiconductor industry, to American jobs, and to our economy.”

Carl Guardino, CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, said, “Our businesses rely on a robust export market and this bill will go a long way in empowering the U.S. and enabling U.S. companies to remain competitive across the globe.”

Mark McCarthy, vice president of the Software and Information Industry Association, said, “TPA legislation is crucial for finalizing agreements that will set the template for 21st Century trade and for protecting the global digital leadership of the United States.”

Scott Belcher, CEO of the Telecommunications Industry Association, said: “The passage of Trade Promotion Authority legislation is critical to increasing the competitiveness of U.S. companies overseas, particularly in the information and communications industry, and to ensuring continued job growth at home.”