Paul Ryan's SOPA Stance Changes: GOP Representative Comes Out Against Internet Piracy Bill

Facing pressure from constituents, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) came out against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) on Monday.

In a statement released on his official website, the House Budget Committee chairman outlined why he does not support the bill, noting that the current openness offered by the web should stay as is.

"The internet is one of the most magnificent expressions of freedom and free enterprise in history. It should stay that way. While H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act, attempts to address a legitimate problem, I believe it creates the precedent and possibility for undue regulation, censorship and legal abuse. I do not support H.R. 3261 in its current form and will oppose the legislation should it come before the full House."

Mashable notes that a Reddit campaign may have played a role in Ryan's decision. "Operation Pull Ryan" was introduced last month, directing criticism against the congressman over his then-pro stance toward the bill. Ryan has accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from organizations that support the initiative.

Rob Zerban, Ryan's 2012 Democratic challenger, has been part of the Reddit thread. The Kenosha County Supervisor applauded Ryan's change of heart as an example of social networking power.

"This is an extraordinary victory," Zerban wrote. "Reddit was able to force the House Budget chair to reverse course -- shock waves will be felt throughout the establishment in Washington today -- other lawmakers will take notice."

Back in mid-December, The Huffington Post's Zach Carter provided some SOPA background, explaining how the bill has "the power to fundamentally reshape the laws governing the internet." Passage of the act would give the federal government broad powers to eliminate web domains believed to be partaking in piracy-related activities.

SOPA opponents have come out swinging against the legislation. Moves against the measure include creating boycott apps, filming protest videos and transferring domains from pro-SOPA sites. GoDaddy.com was among the victims of that movement, eventually releasing a statement expressing opposition to the bill.

Related on HuffPost:

 

 

Comments

[Repo 105]

11:18 PM on 01/23/2012

And what exactly would Ayn Rand feel about SOPA?

[Clevelandinwi]

06:25 PM on 01/11/2012

paulie ryan's attempt to look somewhat 'sane' with an election coming up?

[giant1]

05:59 PM on 01/11/2012

Whew ! When I heard he was changing stance I thought he had pulled a "Larry Craig".

[Clevelandinwi]

06:26 PM on 01/11/2012

He's been 'clean' since his good 'friend' scottie walker got in trouble.

[tjconkster]

05:26 PM on 01/11/2012

The Budget Munster is just letting his Corporate Masters that they need to pony up more cash...

[Iva 123]

09:50 PM on 01/10/2012

I do not care what he did before, when he was supporting SOPA. I am happy, that he walk up and sees that bill as a potential treat to freedom of speech and censorship. I admire his courage.
If our the representation in DC votes without deeper thinking and vision of the consequences of their vote, that person should be recall. We already have Patriot Act, a new Defense Act that took away the a lot freedom from us. It is always presented to us as something necessary to "protect" us or someone, but in fact it takes our rights from us and give government more control and power over citizens. Our Constitution was "raped" by our congress, senate and presidents in recent years.
The latest voting on Defense Act is shame on those who voted for it. They all should be recall to go home. Maybe, we citizens should referendum on recalling our representation if they vote like insane people who so lightly gamble with basic freedom.

[Keit]

06:02 PM on 01/10/2012

I am sure this link has been used to death but here it is again for those of you that have not seen it...
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h3261/money

Paul Ryan does not show up anywhere for taking money...hmmm. Maybe he is throwing his hat in the ring to get some of the action.

[SAdams1987]

09:03 AM on 01/18/2012

Most of the people on the list are either part of the committies dealing with SOPA and PIPA, or part of leadership, of which Ryan is neither. I reject your most cynical argument that the switch is an attempt at fundraising.

[StopMakingSense2]

02:28 PM on 01/10/2012

So long Paul you won't be missed!

[SantaMonican]

02:08 PM on 01/10/2012

Siding with pirates, Ryan feels more at home. Criminals welcome his support.

[Acert]

03:31 PM on 01/10/2012

Uh this bill would have created a firewall system similar to China's.

[Keit]

05:55 PM on 01/10/2012

Actually SantaMonican made a pretty good joke. If I am not mistaken, the PIPA bill up for vote after SOPA is more of the firewall bill. PIPA will be used to block sites from below average skilled interenet users. SOPA would be used to force ISP's to police the sites they host for copyrighted material.

[saythisword]

05:38 PM on 01/10/2012

You appear to not have any idea what you're talking about.

[isupportclasswarfare]

12:50 PM on 01/10/2012

Rob Zerban.....pay attention to this name, he will unseat Ryan in November. Rob is the real deal.

[HLL]

01:40 PM on 01/10/2012

F & F ~ Hooray! I went to Mr. Zerban's website, thanks to your post, and loved his very first sentence.

"I decided to run for Congress because Paul Ryan's plan to destroy Social Security and Medicare is the wrong path for our nation..." ~ Rob Zerban

[RanyhynRider]

12:44 PM on 01/10/2012

Nice try Paul, but you don't fool us a bit. You just backed off to look for another way to help your rich friends and those who want to have a police state on the Internet. You may as well go back to your basic no compromising, obstructionism as that's how you will be remembered.

[KarateKid]

12:42 PM on 01/10/2012

It would have been _hypocritical for him and every other Republican to have supported this. After all, they are the less regulation people. Too bad it took constituent pressure to change his stance, he should have voted against it from the get go.

[Kenneth Alton]

11:56 AM on 01/10/2012

"...Ryan has accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from organizations that support the initiative..."

A cynic would say Ryan's statement "I do not support H.R. 3261 in its current form" leave the door wide open for the crafting of an even worse bill for which his support would cost thousands of thousands of dollars instead of merely hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[Gestas]

11:50 AM on 01/10/2012

Paul Ryan is the Clown at the Dunk Tank that you pay to throw balls at...It's keeps your mind off the waste paper flying aroiund the Carnaval.

[Clevelandinwi]

11:23 AM on 01/10/2012

ryan should be included in the RECALL WALKER campaign in WI - ryan is worse than walker in so many ways.

[tmpjunior]

11:37 AM on 01/10/2012

He's the GOP's Hypocrite-in-Chief. What is wrong with the people of Wisconsin for them to have elected these two yahoos?

[Ernst Angst]

01:38 PM on 01/10/2012

No "Truth in Advertising" for politicians.

[goodbyeGOP]

03:17 PM on 01/10/2012

What is in the water in Wisconsin that they have so many hateful Republicans, the leader of the Republican party is from Wisconsin also what a hater!

[Clevelandinwi]

11:19 AM on 01/10/2012

Here's just another case of a 'right-wing idealogue' trying to sound 'reasonable' in an election year. Re-elect him and he'll flip faster than romney.