Reid's spokesman declined to comment on whether he would release Democrats. Sources: Senate Dems released from PIPA

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid won't whip Democratic votes for an online anti-piracy bill, according to sources familiar with his plans.

The decision deals a severe blow to movie, music and television producers, who had hoped to withstand a surprisingly strong Silicon Valley surge against the bill. It also casts serious doubt over whether the bill authored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) will be able to net the 60 votes needed to reach cloture.


The anti-piracy bill suffered a beating this week. Around half a dozen co-sponsors on Wednesday announced they do not support the bill as written, including key Republicans like Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. The defections came amid widespread protests raging online that included sites like Wikipedia and Reddit going dark to voice their opposition to the bill.

Reid spokesman Adam Jentleson declined to comment on whether Reid would release Democrats.

The bill is scheduled for a procedural test vote on Tuesday.

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 3:13 p.m. on January 19, 2012.

This article tagged under: Senate Democrats

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