A bill to “give journalists a limited right to protect confidential sources from disclosure was sidetracked Thursday, after senators from both parties said the current version could damage national security,” the AP reports.
The bill, supported by more than 70 journalism organizations including The Associated Press, would only apply to federal courts and leave intact state protections for journalists and their sources.
The failure of the Senate Judiciary Committee to act was a disappointment to Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who expressed hope last week that the committee would approve the legislation this week.
Republicans have argued for some time that the bill was tilted toward reporters and against the intelligence community, but Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said she also believes a balance has not yet been struck.
Chief sponsor Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said he met on Wednesday with Attorney General Eric Holder and asserted, "We are well on the way to a compromise. We will have the administration’s support."
Congress in Your Pocket
