Senator Promises To Filibuster Internet Blacklisting Bill
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Senator Promises To Filibuster Internet Blacklisting Bill
By David Kravets Email Author
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) promised Monday to filibuster a controversial Senate proposal that greatly expands the government’s ability to shutter and disrupt websites “dedicated to infringing activities.”
The Protect IP Act, similar to the House’s Stop Online Piracy Act, largely grant rights holders the unfettered power to effectively kill websites they believe are dedicated to infringing activities — all in a bid to combat piracy.
Wyden tried to kill the bill six months ago by putting a hold on it, a rarely used Senate rule (.pdf) allowing one senator to block a measure from a floor vote.
But Wyden’s office reports Monday that there’s movement afoot to undo that hold, 60 Senate votes are needed. And the vote could come following the Thanksgiving holiday.
If PIPA reaches the floor, Wyden promises he will exercise another Senate rule: the filibuster.
Instead of reading the telephone book, he would read the names of Americans opposed to the measure lodged at stopcensorship.org, Jennifer Hoelzer, Wyden’s spokeswoman said in a telephone interview.
“Right now our focus is trying to get this from coming to the floor,” Hoelzer said.