Senate fails to end debate, move shield bill to a vote

The federal shield bill stalled in the Senate today as supporters failed to get enough votes to end debate and force a vote on the measure.

The bill has garnered broad bi-partisan support from both houses of Congress. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the measure in early October by a 15 – 4 vote. Two weeks later, a similar bill passed the full House of Representatives 398 – 21.

The shield bill is not dead in the Senate; leaders can still move a revised version of the bill for a vote on the floor in September after the Senate’s August recess.