The measure required unanimous approval.
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas blocked the passage of the PRESS Act this week, legislation that would offer federal protections for journalists.
If passed, the overarching shield law would provide a variety of protections from the government, like the seizure of journalistic data without a journalist’s knowledge or forcing journalists to disclose the identities of anonymous sources. Exceptions were made for terrorism and national emergencies. While most states have implemented these kinds of shield laws, there are none at the federal level.
The PRESS Act passed the House unanimously in January, and needed a unanimous vote from the Senate in order to become law. Senator Cotton blocked the legislation as the sole dissenter, arguing that implementing it would pose national security risks.
“Passage of this bill would turn the United States Senate into the active accomplice of deep-state leakers, traitors, and criminals, along with the America-hating and fame-hungry journalists who help them out,” Senator Cotton said. “Contrary to what members of the press may think, a press badge doesn’t make you better than the rest of America.”
Earlier this month, President-elect Donald Trump publicly denounced the PRESS Act, calling on members of his party to “kill this bill.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For members of Congress as they consider journalistic protections.
- For U.S. officials to recognize and uphold the First Amendment rights of free speech and freedom of the press for all American citizens.
Sources: VOA News, CNN
