White House Effort to Block Shield Law Picks Up Silent Protection

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The White House push to block a reporter-source shield law appears to have won some Republican backers in the Senate, where the legislation is awaiting a floor vote. “Unfortunately, we have a number of [senators in] the president’s party who told the press they’re for it and have told the White House, ‘We’ll make sure we protect you on this,’” Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-VT, told Politico. White House spokesman Tony Fratto wouldn’t comment on Leahy’s charge but confirmed the White House’s continuing opposition: “We’re concerned that this legislation goes too far and will in fact encourage the leaking of classified information.” (4/29/08)