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Sen. Cotton Blocks Federal Shield Law for Journalists [1]

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Date: 2024-12-11  

Sen. Tom Cotton has blocked a bill passing the Senate that would protect journalists from revealing their sources and material to the government.

Any single Senator has the power to halt a bill put forward by a unanimous consent request.

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon asked for a unanimous voice vote on The Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying Act and Cotten had to be an idiot.

The policy of the Justice Department was put forth by Merrick Garland early in his term that prohibited federal prosecutors from going after reporters' private sources or forcing them to testify about them. The Press Act was meant to codify that policy.

"The press badge doesn't make you better than the rest of America or put you above the law," Cotten said in the Senate. "No American should be afforded the privilege provided in this bill, least of all the media."

It should be no surprise to you that last month, Trump said on Truth Social, "REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL," even though it passed the House with bipartisan support.

Prior to the vote, Chuck Schumer wrote on X, "This bill would protect journalists from overreaching government surveillance. It would ensure that journalists can't be forced to disclose research files or hand over data held by phone or internet companies."

Also prior to the vote the Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press used the release of Inspector General's Report of the Justice Department report of leak investigations during the Trump administration to argue for passage of the act.

Republican history goes back to 2005 when Representative Mike Pence championed similar legislation when Judith Miller was jailed as a result of the investigation into who revealed Valerie Plame's identity.

Cotton further said that the legislation was a "threat to U.S. national security and an insult to the basic fairness in the principle of equality before the law." The bill would turn the Senate into "the active accomplice of deep state leakers, traitors, and criminals, along with the America-hating and fame-hungry journalists who helped them out."

There are carve outs for terrorist or violent threats. Cotton's fear is misplaced and is once again showing Republicans towing the line for Trump as they have for the last 8 years.

Trump was incensed at leaks in his administration, and reports just came out that even Kash Patel was caught up in the sweep.

Even Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Lindsey Graham co-sponsored the bill in 2023. H.R. 4250 PDF here.

The bill is unlikely to reach 60 votes, now that Trump is calling the tune. Schumer's priority until January 3rd is getting judges confirmed.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/12/11/2291435/-Sen-Cotton-Blocks-Federal-Shield-Law-for-Journalists?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web

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