Sen. Roberts Says New Secrets Legislation May Be Needed

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Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan, said in an interview that he may introduce a bill that would criminalize a broader range of classified information. He said the measure would be similar to a bill vetoed by President Clinton in 2000. Sen. Roberts said the legislation he had in mind would impose penalties not just on a person leaking information but anyone, including journalists, who receives and then reveals classified information. Similar legislation was introduced in 2002 but then Attorney General John Ashcroft said it was not needed. (2/18/06)