Leahy Comments On Free Flow Of Information Act
Senate Judiciary
Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) made the following remarks at
an executive business meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee on
September 24.
“This morning we have
the opportunity to make progress on a number of items on our agenda.
I have been terribly disappointed over the past several weeks that we
have not made more progress on the Free Flow of Information Act. I
placed that matter on the agenda some time ago and have worked with
Senator Schumer and Senator Specter, the lead sponsors, and with the
administration, and I tried to work with Republican Senators to proceed
as we did last Congress to report the bill to the Senate. I have
tried to be fair to all, and to allow time for the sponsors to have
discussions that could lead to moving this important legislation.
I support it now as I did when I cosponsored it and worked as Chairman
to report it last Congress.
“I was pleased to
hear Senator Schumer say last week that discussions are making progress,
and I look forward to those discussions culminating in more movement and
support for the bill soon. Today Senator Schumer, a leading
proponent, and several Republican opponents, cannot be with us because
of the Finance Committee markup of health care reform legislation.
In spite of the time we have devoted to the measure over several months
and, in particular, the last two weeks, in light of the unavailability
of interested Senators, and in light of the ongoing discussions, I do
not believe we will be able to break through the opposition today and
end debate on that measure and have it voted on—up or down.”
Under Leahy’s
chairmanship in the 110th Congress, the Judiciary Committee
for the first time reported legislation to establish a federal,
qualified reporters shield law. Leahy first listed the legislation
for Committee consideration in April. Leahy expressed
disappointment
last week when the Committee was unable to consider amendments to
the legislation.
# # # # #
