Citizens nationwide have spoken out against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT IP, its counterpart in the Senate — and they’re not alone. A large and growing bi-partisan group of legislators have told their colleagues in the Capitol that Internet censorship is a very bad idea.

Since the House Judiciary Committee hearing on SOPA last Tuesday, Rep. Nancy Pelosi has come out against the bill, tweeting “#DontBreakTheInternet.” In opposing the bill, she stands alongside Representative Darrel Issa and the ten congressmembers who submitted a letter to their colleagues: Representatives Anna Eshoo, Jared Polis, Mike Doyle, Doris Matsui, Mike Thompson, Zoe Lofgren, Ron Paul, Lloyd Doggett, Mike Honda, and George Miller.

Senators Jerry Moran, Maria Cantwell, Rand Paul, and Ron Wyden have announced their opposition to the PROTECT IP Act in a letter to the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The participation of these senators in the letter indicates a broad bi-partisan opposition to Internet censorship.

Senator Wyden in particular, a recipient of a 2011 EFF Pioneer Award, is a vocal opponent to PROTECT IP, and has said he’ll filibuster the bill if necessary. He's promised to read the names of supporters of Internet freedom; Demand Progress is collecting the names of folks who want to be a part of this historic filibuster.

EFF commends these legislators for defending freedom of expression on the Internet. If your Senator or Representatives are not on this list, make your voice heard and contact them today!