Why is Google's Logo Blacked Out? [POLL]

UPDATED 10:30 P.M.

New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, tonight announced on her Facebook page that she is withdrawing her support of the PIPA bill.

"America’s innovators and consumers need to be protected from the very real problem of online piracy," she wrote. "However, the overwhelming input I’ve received from New Hampshire citizens makes it clear there are many legitimate concerns that deserve further consideration before Congress moves forward on this legislation."

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Google and Wikipedia are two of thousands of websites today running some kind of blackout to protest federal legislation designed to limit Internet copyright infringement.

The SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives, while there's a Senate version called Protect IP, or PIPA. You can find the full text of both bills by clicking the links next to them.

The bills are backed by movie studios, music labels, and news outlets, among other organizations. Major websites are against the legislation, arguing it will give the government broad powers to shut down sites accused of copyright infringment.

New Hampshire Congressman Charlie Bass, a Republican, released a statement today in opposition to the legislation. He's a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which rules on telecommunications issues.

"No one questions that online piracy and counterfeiting are real problems with detrimental impacts to rights-holders, their employees, consumers, and the U.S. economy," Bass said in a statement. "However, I have serious concerns that the Stop Online Piracy Act goes too far in undermining the critical freedoms and functions of the Internet in the name of stopping this illegal activity and I am opposed to the bill as it is written."

Fellow New Hampshire Congressman Frank Guinta also released statement on his Facebook page echoing the concerns of Bass. Facebook has also been critical of the legislation.

A spokesperson for New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, said she has not yet released a statement on the issue. A spokesperson for fellow Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a Republican could not be immediately reached Wednesday morning. Both are co-sponsors of the PIPA bill.