McNerney Statement On The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)

Statement

"As a person with copyrighted works, I remain concerned about the protection of creative works. Despite this, I strongly oppose SOPA as it stands. I have heard from many of the people I represent who are worried about their right to free speech on the internet, and I agree with their concerns.

"Freedom of speech is one of the rights we cherish the most in the United States. Any law that would threaten that fundamental right is flawed and must not be allowed to move forward.

"Our economic power has always been based on innovation and the free flow of ideas. The thinkers and creators in our country have always showed remarkable ingenuity, and stopping the stream of information on the internet would put the United States at an international disadvantage.

"We must remain committed to American advancement that comes from the freedoms we hold most dear. This is what will continue our progress and keep us competitive in the global market."

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