List of members of the U.S. Congress who support or oppose SOPA/PIPA explained

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) are two proposed draft laws that were being considered by the United States Congress. Their stated goals are to increase the ability of U.S. law enforcement to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods, and give the U.S. government and copyright holders additional tools to curb access to "rogue websites dedicated to infringing or counterfeit goods", especially those registered outside the United States.[1]

Supporters of the laws argued that they are needed to protect the intellectual property of owners of content. Opponents of the laws argued that they endanger free speech and free expression by harmfully regulating the internet.

Supporters of SOPA/PIPA

SOPA is the bill under consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. PIPA is the related bill under consideration by the U.S. Senate.

SOPA Sponsors

The Stop Online Piracy Act was introduced by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX).[2]

Sponsors at introduction

SOPA was initially co-sponsored by 12 Representatives:

Subsequent sponsors

After its initial introduction, other Representatives became co-sponsors of SOPA:

Senators who support PIPA

The Protect IP Act (PIPA) was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid planned to bring it to a vote on January 24. Reid rejected a request by six Senators for a postponement, saying "this is an issue that is too important to delay".

As of January 17, 2012, PIPA was co-sponsored by:[9]

Opponents of SOPA/PIPA

Representatives opposed to SOPA/PIPA

In December 2011, Representative Ron Paul spoke out against SOPA, deriding it as a bill that would "take over the Internet".[11] Paul thus became the first major presidential candidate to publicly oppose the SOPA.[12]

Former SOPA supporters

Senators opposed to SOPA/PIPA

Sen. Ron Wyden was one of the opposition leaders against PIPA. On November 28, 2011, Wyden issued a filibuster threat with Sen. Jerry Moran if SOPA/PIPA made it to the floor.[34] A January 20, 2012, editorial in the Daily Kos described Wyden as "The biggest SOPA/PIPA hero".[35] After Senator Wyden, Senator Moran was one of the first Senators to recognize the problems with PIPA and to take a stand against the bill[36] Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown (R) also publicly voiced his opposition to the legislation as well as its sister bill in the House, SOPA.[37]

Opposition

Former PIPA supporters

Legislative narrative

Senate Judiciary Committee

In May 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to report in favor of PIPA.[51]

Source:

However, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) placed a "Senate hold" on the bill, postponing it from going to a full floor vote.[52]

U.S. Senate

On January 13, six Republican co-sponsors of the bill released a letter of concern, reading in part:

On January 17, Senator Ron Wyden announced his intention to filibuster PIPA if necessary.[53] [54]

January 18 saw the Internet Blackout protests in which websites coordinated to oppose SOPA/PIPA. In the wake of online protests, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the PIPA vote previously scheduled for January 24 would be postponed.[55] [56]

SOPA in the House of Representatives

Representative Lamar S. Smith introduced SOPA. Smith remarked of the bill:

Legislative timeline

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Senate bill amounts to death penalty for Web sites. May 12, 2011 . CNet. January 26, 2012.
  2. Web site: Piracy Act no easy sell in House – Jennifer Martinez . Politico.Com . January 26, 2012.
  3. Web site: Griffin Withdraws Support, Will Oppose SOPA.
  4. Web site: Bill Summary and Status: H.R. 3261 . January 24, 2012 . Library of Congress . January 25, 2012 . December 9, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131209142223/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:HR03261:@@@P . dead .
  5. The Rachel Maddow Show, Jan 18, 12
  6. Web site: I believe #SOPA is dead. I will not support #SOPA if this headlong rush continues. As a true free marketer, I want IP protected correctly. Dennis. Ross. 18 January 2012.
  7. Web site: Thank you for your concern about #SOPA. I have asked to have my name removed from the bill. However, the economic... . Lee. Terry. 18 January 2012.
  8. Web site: Cosponsors - H.R.3261 - 112th Congress (2011-2012): Stop Online Piracy Act. Lamar. Smith. 16 December 2011. www.congress.gov.
  9. Bill Summary & Status 112th Congress (2011–2012), “S.968 Cosponsors,” Bill Summary & Status
  10. http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/Article.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1502=38636 Grassley on PIPA
  11. Web site: Ron Paul on SOPA: "They Want to Take Over the Internet!". LeakSourceArchive. 2 January 2012. YouTube.
  12. Web site: Ron Paul blasts SOPA on the 2012 presidential campaign trail. Joshua. Topolsky. 31 December 2011. The Verge.
  13. Web site: Ackerman Statement on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), H.R. 3261. January 19, 2012. January 20, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120123031434/http://ackerman.house.gov/statements-remarks1/ackerman-statement-on-the-stop-online-piracy-act-sopa-hr-32611. January 23, 2012.
  14. Web site: Todd is absolutely opposed to SOPA/PIPA.... January 18, 2012. Facebook. January 20, 2012.
  15. Web site: Amash Joins Web Protest Against SOPA and PIPA. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012.
  16. Web site: Congressman Andrews Stands for Freedom of Internet, Against SOPA. January 20, 2012. January 20, 2012.
  17. Web site: I oppose SOPA.... January 20, 2012. Facebook. January 20, 2012.
  18. Web site: CONGRESSMAN BACHUS STATEMENT OF OPPOSITION TO SOPA AND PIPA. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120314021618/http://bachus.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1217. March 14, 2012.
  19. Web site: Dr. Benishek: "We Can Fight Piracy Without Endangering Free Speech". January 18, 2012. February 21, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120122005635/http://benishek.house.gov/press-release/dr-benishek-%E2%80%9Cwe-can-fight-piracy-without-endangering-free-speech%E2%80%9D. January 22, 2012. dead.
  20. Web site: Biggert Statement on SOPA. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121216010107/http://judybiggert.house.gov/press-releases/biggert-statement-on-sopa/. December 16, 2012.
  21. Web site: Cohen . Lon . Bishop Opposes SOPA, Cites Concerns of Stifling Open Internet – Three Village, NY Patch . Threevillage.patch.com . January 18, 2012 . January 26, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120120083404/http://threevillage.patch.com/articles/bishop-opposes-sopa-cites-concerns-of-stifling-open-internet . January 20, 2012 .
  22. Web site: Rep. Earl Blumenauer to Black Out Website In Solidarity Against PIPA/SOPA Censorship. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012.
  23. Web site: Braley Statement Opposing Stop Online Piracy Act. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120123022535/http://braley.house.gov/press-release/braley-statement-opposing-stop-online-piracy-act. January 23, 2012.
  24. Web site: Broun Opposes SOPA on Concerns for Innovation, Free Speech. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120123022539/http://broun.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=275165. January 23, 2012.
  25. Web site: Rep. Hanna listening to SOPA debate, spokeswoman says. Harding. Robert. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012.
  26. Web site: Statement from Congressman Brian Higgins on H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120123025111/http://higgins.house.gov/2012/01/statement-from-congressman-brian-higgins-on-hr-3261-the-stop-online-piracy-act.shtml. January 23, 2012.
  27. Web site: Statement From Congresswoman Hochul On SOPA And PIPA. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012. dead. http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120202090705/http%3A//hochul.house.gov/press%2Drelease/statement%2Dcongresswoman%2Dhochul%2Dsopa%2Dand%2Dpipa. February 2, 2012.
  28. Web site: Strange bedfellows: Nancy Pelosi, Ron Paul join SOPA opposition. Timothy B.. Lee. 17 November 2011. Ars Technica.
  29. Web site: Platts on SOPA: In current form, no. January 18, 2012. January 19, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120119004607/http://www.ydr.com/politics/ci_19768887. January 19, 2012.
  30. Web site: ROKITA OPPOSES SOPA. January 19, 2012. January 20, 2012.
  31. http://paulryan.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=274134 Paul Ryan Statement
  32. Web site: UPDATE: #StopSOPA (and PIPA). January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012.
  33. Web site: CONGRESSMAN TONKO STATEMENT ON STOP ONLINE PIRACY ACT (SOPA) LEGISLATION. January 18, 2012. January 20, 2012.
  34. Web site: DavidSegal . Wyden Will Filibuster The Destruction Of The Internet – And Read Your Name From Senate Floor . Daily Kos . November 28, 2011 . January 26, 2012.
  35. Web site: kos . The biggest SOPA/PIPA hero: Sen. Ron Wyden . Daily Kos . January 20, 2012 . January 26, 2012.
  36. Web site: Mike Masnick . Senator Moran Chats With Techdirt About SOPA, Innovation And The Importance Of An Open Internet . TechDirt . March 7, 2012 . June 19, 2012.
  37. Web site: Senator Brown Says He'll Vote 'No' on Anti-Piracy Bills. January 17, 2012.
  38. Web site: Sen. Bernard Sanders.
  39. Web site: Rand Paul promises to fight against internet censorship [Opinion: The Arena |publisher=Louisville.com |date=January 14, 2012 |access-date=January 19, 2012].
  40. Web site: SOPA & #PIPA go too far. Online piracy is a real and serious problem (1/2). Mark. Warner. 18 January 2012.
  41. Web site: Let's Address the Concerns Over the PROTECT IP Act . Facebook . January 19, 2012.
  42. Web site: The theft of... . Facebook . January 19, 2012.
  43. Web site: I support intellectual property rights, but I oppose SOPA & PIPA. They're misguided bills that will cause more harm than good.. Jim. DeMint. 18 January 2012.
  44. Web site: Protecting IP is important, but we need to carefully tailor the solution. #PIPA and #SOPA don't cut it.. Senator Jeff. Merkley. 18 January 2012.
  45. Web site: A Better Way to... . Facebook . January 19, 2012.
  46. Web site: Sen. Snowe would not vote for #PIPA in current form, says spokesman. Entire ME delegation opposes proposed Internet regs. Josie. Huang. 18 January 2012.
  47. http://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsletter?ContentRecord_id=18cb6f1a-7bc2-435c-80bf-5c439a77caee Sen. Jerry Moran statement on SOPA/PIPA
  48. Web site: We can find a solution that will protect lawful content. But this bill is flawed & that's why I'm withdrawing my support. #SOPA #PIPA. Senator Roy. Blunt. 18 January 2012.
  49. Web site: SOPA / PIPA: Orrin Hatch Withdraws Support After Blackout. 19 January 2012.
  50. http://hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ID=999dd3d6-931f-4f59-8a5e-3da977241620 Sen. Hatch official statement
  51. Web site: Protect IP Act: Senate Judiciary Committee approves anti-piracy bill – Los Angeles Times . Articles.latimes.com . May 27, 2011 . January 26, 2012.
  52. Web site: Wyden. Ron. Overreaching Legislation Still Poses a Significant Threat to Internet Commerce, Innovation and Free Speech. . Sovereign. May 28, 2011.
  53. http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120117/OPINION/201170301/-1/NEWSMAP Drawing a line on piracy
  54. Web site: Wyden on PIPA: This Presents a Clear & Present Danger to Innovation. Ron Wyden. 19 December 2011. YouTube.
  55. News: Weisman . Jonathan . Senate Postpones Vote on Internet Anti-Piracy Bill . January 20, 2012 . . January 20, 2012 .
  56. Stephanie Condon (January 20, 2012), "PIPA, SOPA put on hold in wake of protests" CBS News
  57. Web site: Senate panel OKs controversial antipiracy bill.
  58. http://www.opencongress.org/articles/view/2461-Six-GOP-Co-Sponsors-of-PIPA-Ask-Reid-to-Cancel-Vote?comment_id=243262&comment_page=1
  59. Espinel . Victoria . Chopra . Aneesh . Schmidt . Howard . Combating Online Piracy While Protecting an Open and Innovative Internet . January 14, 2012 . . January 14, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110923115959/https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/response/combating-online-piracy-while-protecting-open-and-innovative-internet . September 23, 2011 .
  60. Web site: Phillips . Mark . Obama Administration Responds to We the People Petitions on SOPA and Online Piracy . January 14, 2012 . . . January 14, 2012 .
  61. News: Wyatt . Edward . White House Says It Opposes Parts of Two Antipiracy Bills . January 14, 2012 . . January 15, 2012 .
  62. News: Amidst SOPA Blackout, Senate Copyright Bill Loses Key Supporters . Andy . Greenberg . January 18, 2012 . January 18, 2012 . .
  63. Jared Newman http://www.pcworld.com/article/248468/congress_puts_sopa_pipa_on_hold.html Retrieved January 20, 2012

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