Cohen Statement on Postponement of Vote on SOPA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) today issued the following statement on House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith’s (R-TX) decision to postpone consideration of the Stop Online Piracy Act (H.R. 3261) – legislation that would require Internet Service Providers to block access to certain foreign websites.

“I applaud the decision by Chairman Smith to postpone action on SOPA until there is wider agreement on the issue,” said Congressman Cohen. “From the moment the bill was introduced and the controversy erupted, I urged the parties to come together to find agreement. During a hearing on SOPA in the House Judiciary Committee, I asked several of the witnesses whether they had met to work out their differences, but unfortunately, it was clear these substantive discussions between the parties had never taken place. Chairman Smith has made the right decision to re-start negotiations so that we can combat online piracy while protecting free speech and the Internet. I look forward to working with Chairman Smith, internet companies and copyright owners to find a balanced, effective way to fight online piracy and protect intellectual property rights.”