Updated Bill Spotlight: SOPA and "Better Activism Day"
(Note: I've updated this post since originally posting it this afternoon.)
Everyone's buzzing about SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act (HR 3261), on the Hill and across the Internet. Already, more than 8,000 people have voiced their position on the bill using the POPVOX platform. Here's an update on the bill.
- HR 3261 The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) promotes prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property.
The Latest on SOPA
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith said on Jan. 17 that he expects the Committee to continue its markup of the Stop Online Piracy Act in February: "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." (Read his full statement.)
1/14 UPDATE: SOPA Not Heading to the House FloorHouse Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa announced on Jan. 14 that SOPA will not be heading to the House floor. "Majority Leader Cantor has assured me that we will continue to work to address outstanding concerns and work to build consensus prior to any anti-piracy legislation coming before the House for a vote," said Chairman Issa. "The voice of the Internet community has been heard." (Read his full statement.)
SOPA Blackout Day, Jan. 18Many websites are planning to "go dark" tomorrow in protest against SOPA and its related Senate bill, PIPA (S 968). While POPVOX is neutral and doesn't take positions on bills, including SOPA or PIPA, we are 100% on board with any effort to help people understand how Congress works and how to engage with the Congressional process. To that end, we will be participating in "Better Activism Day" on Jan. 18.
Join POPVOX for "Better Activism Day", Jan. 18Better Activism Day, coordinated by Clay Johnson, author of the Information Diet is geared for activists that want to make Congress listen to citizens better -- through improved advocacy, transparency reforms and a better understanding of how Congress works. POPVOX's CEO, Marci Harris, will be presenting at 4:30pm Eastern. Join us via livestream starting at 10am Eastern. (See the agenda.)
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
