From the Times: Rep. Smith said opposition Web sites were spreading “fear rather than fact.”...“When the opposition is based upon misinformation, I have confidence in the facts and confidence that the facts will ultimately prevail."

"After consultation with industry groups across the country, I feel we should remove Domain Name System blocking from the Stop Online Piracy Act so that the Committee can further examine the issues surrounding this provision. We will continue to look for ways to ensure that foreign websites cannot sell and distribute illegal content to U.S. consumers."

"The bill in Congress now, critics say, goes much too far...The Internet’s potential … could be crippled...[The bill] could... turn out to be the executioner of the Internet’s real promise.' With all the strident and unfounded claims that have been made about H.R. 3261, the 'Stop Online Piracy Act,' one can be forgiven for thinking those words were written about [SOPA]. But those words were published 15 years ago. And the bill that critics targeted for defeat was the measure that eventually was signed into law as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or the DMCA."

"This bill does not allow anyone to seek an order to block any website. It affords the same due-process protections provided in all civil litigation in federal courts. If a federal judge agrees that the website in question is dedicated to illegal and infringing activity, then a court order can be issued directing companies to sever ties with the illegal website."

"From movies and music to software and medicine, IP theft drains our economy and puts lives at risk. We must do more to combat the theft, marketing and distribution of America’s intellectual property to ensure that the profits and jobs these industries generate stay here at home. If we can reduce the impact of IP theft on the U.S. economy, we can not only save jobs, we can gain jobs."