Louisiana Republicans oppose online piracy bill

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) have joined the growing ranks of lawmakers coming out against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA). Both lawmakers posted messages on their Facebook pages announcing their opposition to the bill. Rep Scalise, one of SOPA's original co-sponsors, said he will be removing his name from the legislation.

"I am committed to stopping online piracy, and will be removing my name from SOPA while I work to ensure that the freedom of the internet is preserved," Rep Scalise said.

"I won’t be supporting the Protect IP Act (PIPA or SOPA as it's called in the House of Representatives) because, though I've been pushing hard on both internet freedom and national security concerns, they still haven't been fully addressed," said Sen Vitter. "It's a real mistake to press forward with a flawed bill now. It will only endanger ever properly dealing with the very real problem of internet piracy."

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) also declared his opposition to SOPA and PIPA, calling them flawed bills that he can't support in their current form.