Senate right to delay vote on Internet piracy bill
by U.S. Senator Mike Enzi media release
January 25, 2012
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said delaying this week’s Senate vote on Internet antipiracy legislation was a good decision. He plans to withdraw as a cosponsor of the Protect IP Act.
"It’s our job in Congress to listen to the public. Leader Reid did that when he listened to Minority Leader McConnell and indefinitely delayed the vote on the Protect IP Act. There is mass confusion and concern out there so it makes sense to take the time to work through the problems with the legislation. I received hundreds of comments from Wyoming residents who were worried the bill would ‘stifle free speech and innovation.’ I don’t believe the bill would have done that, but it’s certainly worth slowing up to make certain. That’s the last thing any of us wants to do," Enzi said.
Enzi said there are thousands of websites based in southeast Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and all over the world that exist only to make money off of stealing American ideas and products.
"The problem is real. American businesses are being robbed every day. We need a real solution. If we need to make changes to the Protect IP Act to address the concerns people have with the legislation that is what we should do. With continued feedback from constituents and other stakeholders, I’m confident we will find a way to protect consumers and businesses affected by counterfeit and fraudulent products sold online, while maintaining the integrity of the Internet."
Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has not set a new time for the vote. House Judiciary Committee chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, postponed consideration of the Stop Online Piracy Act, the House’s version of the bill.
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