Where does the Georgia delegation stand on SOPA/PIPA?

January 18, 2012 17:43 pm

by Jason · 23 comments

We have noted in a couple places today where members of Georgia’s congressional delegation stand on piracy legislation currently in the Congress (SOPA in the House, PIPA in the Senate). I spent a few minutes going through members Facebook and Twitter feeds for statements on this issue, below is what I’ve been able to find.

- Sen. Saxby Chambliss: Opposes (previously supported, still listed as a co-sponsor of PIPA)
- Sen. Johnny Isakson: Supports (co-sponsor of PIPA)
- Rep. John Barrow: Supports (co-sponsor of SOPA)
- Rep. Sanford Bishop: ???
- Rep. Paul Broun: Opposes
- Rep. Phil Gingrey: Unclear
- Rep. Tom Graves: Opposes
- Rep. Hank Johnson: Opposes
- Rep. Jack Kingston: Opposes
- Rep. John Lewis: Opposes
- Rep. Tom Price: Unclear
- Rep. Austin Scott: Opposes
- Rep. David Scott: Opposes
- Rep. Lynn Westmoreland: Opposes
- Rep. Rob Woodall: Opposes

I’ll continue to update this as members put out statements, either on their websites or social media platforms. If you know of a position above to be incorrect, please let me know in the comments.

{ 23 comments }

Painterman January 18, 2012 at 5:59 pm

You left off Cong Westmoreland and he has released a statement of his opposition to the current bill.

Jason January 18, 2012 at 6:20 pm

It’s there in the coding, but not showing up for some reason.

Jason January 18, 2012 at 6:26 pm

Fixed it. He was included, but some odd coding issue was blocking it from showing up.

John Konop January 18, 2012 at 6:41 pm

This bill is a classic example how putting issues in conservative or liberal boxes is not so clear.

Toxic Avenger January 18, 2012 at 9:51 pm

Agreed. This is a bipartisan effort both for and against.

ricstewart January 18, 2012 at 7:51 pm

Why is it that on the rare occasions that John Barrow actually takes a position on something, he takes the wrong one?

Thadius January 18, 2012 at 8:26 pm

It is unbelievable to me that Saxby and Johnny represent our state.
They are totally out of touch with the ideals of Georgians.
Can someone please, please primary each of them?

Toxic Avenger January 18, 2012 at 9:52 pm

That would be fantastic. Or have a Democrat win, either way. It’s not often John Lewis and Paul Broun agree on something.

ted in bed January 19, 2012 at 6:55 am

I agree that both of them need to GO! They campaign in Georgia as ‘conservatives’ but consistently vote as ‘DC Insiders’. What good is being a conservative state when we send up to Washington big government Hollywood owned shills as our Senators?

Paging Tea Party … Paging Tea Party …. In 2014, Let’s Kick Taxby Out The Door.

swga resident January 18, 2012 at 9:04 pm

Bishop will vote as Obama and Pelosi instruct him to vote. He is certainly not interested in what his constituents want.

South Fulton Guy January 18, 2012 at 10:05 pm

Turkeys must be flying. I agree with John Lewis and disagree with Saxby Chamblis and Johnny Isackson.

L. Max Lehmann January 19, 2012 at 5:49 am

I agree.

Tenacious G January 19, 2012 at 8:32 am

Is Tom Graves getting any respect nationally? He’s been pretty consistent in opposing things like SOPA and the NDAA.

georgiaBiker January 19, 2012 at 12:36 pm

Let us remember that the Federal Government’s actual granted authority extends only to the boundary of the District of Columbia…but never-mind that, as we’re not going to win that argument in this lifetime. It shocks me that any person born in this country or at all familiar with what makes it special would ever dream of supporting such a bill. Opening this can of worms, as it were, is asking for trouble.

Does anyone recall this quote?

“As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air – however slight – lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness.” –William O. Douglas

We must all be at our most vigilant, as we have already progressed most of the way through twilight to darkness…no one seems to notice, because no one remembers what daylight was like.

“The tragedy of our day is the climate of fear in which we live, and fear breeds repression. Too often sinister threats to the Bill of Rights, to freedom of the mind, are concealed under the patriotic cloak of anti-communism.” –Adlai Stevenson’s “Nature of Patriotism” Speech in 1952

Don’t let the patriotic cloak of anti-terrorism and anti-piracy tempt you to stray from the most basic principles upon which this society was founded – Personal Liberty guaranteed by a Representative, Constitutional Republic.

Jason January 19, 2012 at 5:23 pm

I’ve updated the post to reflect Rep. Woodall’s opposition to SOPA.

Jason January 19, 2012 at 5:40 pm

Here is the statement that Gingrey has sent out to constituents. I’ve listed him as “unclear,” but I’ll let you draw your own conclusion:

Thank you for contacting me to express your opinion regarding H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act. As your Congressman, I appreciate hearing your thoughts and welcome every opportunity to be of service.

As you are aware, H.R. 3261 was introduced by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) on October 26, 2011. If enacted, it would allow the Attorney General to seek injunctions against foreign websites that steal and sell American innovations and products. This legislation also prevents online thieves from selling counterfeit goods in the U.S., expands international protections for intellectual property (IP), and protects American consumers from dangerous counterfeit products. H.R. 3261 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, where it is currently awaiting further action.

The growth of the Internet over the past 15 years has led to numerous technological advances. Unfortunately, these advances in technology have also led to the theft of IP – particularly music and movies.

According to a 2008 MarkMonitor study, counterfeit or rogue websites dedicated to IP theft cost legitimate businesses of all sizes across the country an estimated $135 billion annually. Currently, American IP industries provide 19 million high-paying jobs to the U.S. economy and account for more than 60% of U.S. exports.

At a time when millions of Americans are out of work, we must find commonsense ways to protect industries – including the IP industry – that support millions of jobs. Although I am not a member of the Judiciary Committee, please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind should H.R. 3261 come before the full House for a vote.

Bridget January 19, 2012 at 5:55 pm

Uggh – this isn’t the response I wanted from my Congressman :(

Question though, Jason. Is SOPA (House version) truly less evil than PIPA (Senate version)?

Here’s the thing – Rep Gingrey is my rep. As a citizen (or a human being) for that matter, you have to save up what you get really up in arms about or you become white noise.

Is this worth informing enough constituents to inform Rep Gingrey they want him to vote NO? PIPA – I get; Saxby and Isakson choosing to die on this hill is their own doing. But I hear while SOPA is bad, it’s not the end of world.

Jason January 19, 2012 at 6:32 pm

It depends on who you ask. Personally, I believe they’re both equally terrible bills.

Three Jack January 20, 2012 at 11:10 am

Gingrey will most likely find more than one candidate running against him in the new district that includes Cherokee County. His refusal to man up on this issue provides one more reason for a viable candidate to challenge him.

Bridget January 19, 2012 at 9:09 pm

I think Price has an angry voter in his district…

Another commenter, identifying himself as being from Cherokee County, wasn’t subtle in issuing a threat to Price: “If you vote yes on this; I will be your worst nightmare. . . I am retired and I will make your defeat my FULL TIME JOB.”

http://eastcobb.patch.com/articles/price-sopa-not-going-anywhere

Three Jack January 20, 2012 at 11:37 am

If the government can already do this — http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/jan/19/us-government-megaupload-piracy-indictment — why do we need new laws?

elfiii January 20, 2012 at 3:09 pm

The good news is “Anonymous” has struck and shut down the websites of DOJ and FBI as well as others with DoS attacks.

Cry “Havoc” and let slip the dogs of war!

Scott65 January 23, 2012 at 10:02 pm

I was aware of this legislation several months ago (in fact posted in a thread here warning that it was coming). Chris Dodd in my opinion is the lowest form of life as well as a criminal

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