From the ALA Advocacy Office:
With only a few weeks left in this congressional session, we are facing serious threats focused on the U.S. Copyright Office and Library of Congress.
Next Tuesday [12/4/18], the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act (S. 1010), a Senate companion to House bill (H.R. 1695) will be voted on by the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, in spite of previous concerns by committee members.
This legislation removes the hiring authority of the Copyright Register from the Librarian of Congress to the president. It would politicize the Register’s position to the public’s detriment and slow the critically needed modernization of the Copyright Office. The bill also grants the president power to fire the appointee at any time. Further, while the Senate would at least retain the power to confirm the nominee, the House would no longer have any influence on the selection process.
ALA strongly opposes this bill. We need you to contact your U.S. Senators to express your personal opposition and ask them to vote against it.
While the Senate Rules and Administration Committee might not vote in our favor on Tuesday, we must make sure they hear from us. Please send an email today.