In Washington there is currently lots of distraction with encryption and key escrow, and the election. Electronic commerce is encountering a huge problem with lack of education and misunderstanding and not wanting to understand. The Senate is very traditional and mostly does not want to be on the cutting edge. The Senate Commerce Committee is hesitant to jump in until there is some strong experience. He agrees with Massachusets, that the Senate doesn't want to be the first to the table.
Industry is perceived to be largely ethereal.
Does not want to squelch development before it can roll out. Military has lots of rules. It might be easier to get fed govt to change direction than it is to get 50 states to change direction. Members of Senate want to observe and learn from the state experience. Outside of the Commerce Committee, all computer issues are considered the same stuff.