Bush advisers favor a veto of shield law

President Bush’s top advisers signaled last week they would urge him to veto a reporter’s shield bill, according to The Associated Press.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey has been outspoken in his opposition to the Free Flow of Information Act, which would generally protect reporters against having to reveal their confidential sources except in extreme cases, including when national security is at stake. Earlier this summer, Mukasey told Congress the national security exemption built into the bill did not go far enough; in a letter Friday to Senate Democrats, according to the AP, Mukasey and National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell said they would recommend the president veto it altogether.

Despite such concerns, the House easily passed its version of the bill last year. The Senate version stalled earlier this summer in the final hours before Congress adjourned for August recess, but lawmakers can still bring it up for a vote when they come back in the fall.