Cotton Blocks Passage Of Press Freedom Act [VIDEO]

December 14, 2022 Politics, Republicans

AlterNet reports:

The Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act or PRESS Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland on July 1, 2021.

The bill was passed in the House over a year later on September 19, 2022, and was being considered and debated in the U.S. Senate before Cotton blocked it on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Congress’ website, the PRESS Act “prohibits the federal government from compelling journalists and providers of telecommunications services (e.g., phone and internet companies) to disclose certain protected information, except in limited circumstances such as to prevent terrorism or imminent violence.”

Common Dreams reports:



Cotton (R-Ark.) objected, claiming that “the PRESS Act would immunize journalists and leakers alike from scrutiny and consequences for their actions.”

“This bill would prohibit the government from compelling any individual who calls himself a ‘journalist,'” Cotton continued, indicating scare quotes with his hands, “from disclosing the source or substance of such damaging leaks.”

Wyden pushed back against Cotton’s claims, pointing to the exceptions in the law that were adequate enough to satisfy all Republicans in the House, which advanced the bill by a voice vote in September.

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