Federal Shield Law Awaits Senate Action-Blocked by Sen. Kyl

Judiciary Committee leaders urged Senate leaders March 6, 2008, to schedule a floor vote on a bill to create a federal "shield law" for journalists protecting the identities of confidential sources. The House has already passed a similar bill 398-21, but the Senate has been prevented from discharging its duty to hold an up or down vote on the version approved by the Senate Judiciary committee. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) has put a "hold" on the bill at the behest of the Bush administration.

The matter gained greater urgency when a federal court slapped crushing daily fines on USA TODAY reporter Tony Locy after she refused to disclose sources in the Steven Hatfill case.

• Previous Story: WatchDog of Oct. 17, 2007.