"They were apologetic from start to finish and kept repeating they'd been misguided, " Mr Rowland said.

BBC: NatWest rejects rivals

At the very least, however, it is to be hoped that the weakened power (if not outright defeat) of legislators like Rep. Sam Gejdenson (D-CT), who have repeatedly championed misguided export liberalization schemes on Capitol Hill, will allow the legislature to play a constructive rather than destructive role.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy