Shield Law Stalled in Senate by GOP Drilling Drive

A bill to shield journalists from being forced to disclose confidential sources was blocked in the Senate before Congress headed home for its August recess. Republicans kept the measure from coming up, saying the Senate should instead act on their preferred energy bill.

By a 51-43 vote, Democratic sponsors failed to muster the 60 votes they would need to move the bill past a filibuster. The Bush administration opposes the bill. The House passed a similar measure in October 2007.

• "Media Shield Stalls in Senate," Associated Press via First Amendment Center, July 30, 2008.
• Previous Story: WatchDog of April 9, 2008.