WASHINGTON – An attempt to pass a comprehensive measure The bill to protect press freedom was defeated in the US Senate on Tuesday evening.
The Journalist Protection Act – which would limit the federal government’s ability to force journalists to disclose their sources – was met with sturdy objections from President-elect Donald Trump, who has had a challenging relationship with the press.
Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton blocked Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden’s request for unanimous consent pass the billand called the legislation “a threat to U.S. national security and an affront to fundamental justice in the principle of equality before the law.”
Although the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the bill by voice vote earlier this year, Trump agreed in November urged Republicans in Congress “Must kill this bill.”
Achieving unanimous consent – a process to speed passage of bills in the Senate – seemed extremely unlikely given Trump’s influence over the Senate GOP conference.
Cotton, the incoming leader of the Senate GOP conference, said the measure would “make reporters a protected class – allowed to possess, share and publish top-secret and dangerous information that no other American is allowed to possess.”
He also said the bill would make the Senate “active accomplices to deep state leakers, traitors and criminals, along with the America-hating and fame-hungry journalists who aided them.”
Bipartisan support
Wyden introduced companion legislation to the House bill in June 2023. Republican Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina supported the bill, along with Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.
Wyden called the bill “such common sense” and said previous administrations on both sides of the aisle have “exploited the lack of a federal protection law to restrict press freedom and, in some cases, even jailed journalists who refused to breach their journalistic duties.” “Ethics and disclose their sources.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his sturdy support for the bill and his desire to bring it to the president’s desk.
“No democracy can survive without a free, open and thriving press,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.
The legislation would found “Appropriate limits on federally compelled disclosure of information obtained in the course of serving as a journalist” and would limit federal law enforcement surveillance of journalists.
Dozens News media organizations and press advocacy groups have pushed for the law’s passage, with press rights organizations expressing concern about Trump’s impending return to the Oval Office Threats he made against journalists.
Last updated on December 10, 2024 at 6:50 p.m
