Dec. 11 (UPI) — A Senate Republican blocked a bipartisan bill Tuesday that would have given journalists more protections under federal law.
The Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying Act, also known as the PRESS Act, which would have protected journalists from being forced to reveal their sources or turn over their data, was blocked by GOP Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas.
Democrats had been working to get the bill passed before the end of President Joe Biden‘s term, as President-elect Donald Trump called on Republicans in a Truth Social post last month to “Kill this bill!”
On Tuesday, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked for unanimous consent to pass the bipartisan measure after it passed in the GOP-controlled House earlier this year and was not likely to win the 60 votes needed in the Senate.
Cotton objected and blocked the attempt.
“The PRESS Act would undermine our national security and turn liberal reporters into a protected class,” Cotton said in a speech Tuesday on the Senate floor.
“Releasing classified information is a serious crime. Contrary to what members of our press must think, a press badge doesn’t make you better than the rest of America or put you above the law.”
“No American citizen should be afforded the privileges provided in this bill, least of all the media.”
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told Republicans earlier Tuesday to get out of the way.
“This bill would protect journalists against overreaching government surveillance,” Schumer wrote in a post on X.
“It would ensure reporters can’t be legally required to disclose sources or research files or hand over data held by phone and Internet companies,” Schumer added.
“This bill is bipartisan and passed the House. Senate Republicans should not get in the way.”