Rep. Issa proposes two-year moratorium on Internet regulations

In the wake of the controversial Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA), Republican Rep. Darrel Issa of California has asked the Internet community Reddit for feedback on a bill to prohibit new Internet regulations for two years.

A draft of the bill, called the Internet American Moratorium Act (IAMA), would "create a two-year moratorium on new Internet regulations or burdens added by the U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration."

The legislation seems particularly tailored to Reddit, which frequently hosts "I am... ask me anything" (IAmA) discussions.

Issa was a vocal opponent of SOPA and related anti-Internet piracy bills.

Critics said SOPA would have severely harmed free speech online by requiring Internet service providers to block the domain names of websites accused of infringing copyrights. Support for the legislation dwindled after several major websites like Wikipedia went offline for a day in protest.

Issa is not the first lawmaker to turn to Reddit for advice on Internet legislation. Earlier this month, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) asked the online community for input on a bill to regulate domain name seizures.