Rep. Lamar Smith
The weekend was
good for opponents of SOPA and PIPA, notably for the assurances to Rep. Darrell Issa from Majority Leader Eric Cantor that a SOPA vote in the House wouldn't happen "unless there is consensus on the bill."
Judiciary Chair (and copyright violator) Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) is going to try to force consensus by resuming the markup on the bill next month. From his press release:
Stop Online Piracy Act Markup to Resume in February
Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today said that he expects the Committee to continue its markup of the Stop Online Piracy Act in February.
Chairman Smith: "To enact legislation that protects consumers, businesses and jobs from foreign thieves who steal America's intellectual property, we will continue to bring together industry representatives and Members to find ways to combat online piracy.
"Due to the Republican and Democratic retreats taking place over the next two weeks, markup of the Stop Online Piracy Act is expected to resume in February.
"I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to send a bipartisan bill to the White House that saves American jobs and protects intellectual property."
Which means the legislation is far from dead, and Smith just as hell-bent on passing this bad legislation as ever, with a big assist from the MPAA.
Which means tomorrow's internet blackout, in which hundreds of sites are participating, is still absolutely necessary.
It also means members of Congress have to hear from us. You can use this form to send an email to your representative, and this one to contact your senators to tell them to oppose this bad bill.
