Cotton blocks federal journalist shield legislation in Senate

Sen. Tom Cotton has blocked a first-of-its-kind federal shield law for journalists against revealing their confidential sources, arguing its passage would represent a threat to national security.

“The liberal media doesn’t deserve more protections,” Cotton (R-Ark.), who will chair the Intelligence Committee next year, said on the Senate floor. “The press badge doesn’t make you better than the rest of America or put you above the law.”

The Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act — or the PRESS Act — previously passed the House by voice vote in January.

Cotton said he was providing the “sober second thought” to the “rash, impetuous, hasty, impulsive” action by the House on the legislation.

Under the bill, federal entities would be barred — except in rare and narrow circumstances — from using subpoenas, search warrants, or other compulsory actions to force journalists to reveal sources. The protections would also apply to third parties like email providers and phone companies, shielding them from being forced to release potentially identifying information.

“The PRESS Act [is] very important to us to preserve the press,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a strong supporter of the bill, said at a press conference earlier on Tuesday. “We hope Republicans don't block it.”

Lead sponsors of the legislation span the ideological spectrum to include Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Attempts to pass the measure comes as incoming President-elect Donald Trump has railed against the media, often going so far as to label journalists as “enemies of the people.”