Senate Delays Vote on Anti-Piracy PIPA Bill

ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- Amid this week’s Internet blackout protests over the two anti-piracy bills making their way through Congress, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office announced Friday that Tuesday’s “test vote” on The Protect IP Act (PIPA) will be postponed.

Reid, D-Nev., announced his decision over Twitter.

“In light of recent events, I have decided to postpone Tuesday’s vote on the PROTECT IP Act #PIPA,” Reid tweeted.

“There’s no reason that legitimate issues raised about PROTECT IP can’t be resolved,” Reid followed up in two additional tweets. “I’m optimistic that we can reach compromise on PROTECT IP in coming weeks.”

The Senate was scheduled to hold a procedural vote on PIPA on Tuesday, Jan. 24, but Friday’s announcement came after numerous co-sponsors of the bill withdrew their support for the bill and called for Reid to delay the test vote.

The House of Representatives’ anti-piracy bill, the Stop online Piracy Act (SOPA), facing similar protests and waning Congressional support, faces an uncertain legislative fate as well.

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