Shield law vote pending · 28 July 08
Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists are urging members nationwide to take an active role immediately in the passage of S. 2035, the Senate version of the Free Flow of Information Act, also known as the federal media shield law.
SPJ headquarters learned Thursday that the federal shield law bill will likely hit the Senate floor for a vote today. The Society’s leaders are urging journalists to take part in one final push for action from the following Senators by encouraging them to vote “yes” on S. 2035.
“It is critical this final push for Senate action has national support because a federal shield law will benefit the public as a whole,” SPJ President Clint Brewer said. “The passage of this bill in the Senate is the final step in protecting confidential sources in federal cases, and the public’s right to know.”
To voice your support of a federal shield law, contact the following senators. Those below are either undecided or a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Their votes are vital to the passage of this important law:
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Phone: (202) 224-3841; Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Phone: (202) 224-5274; Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Phone: (202) 224-3521; Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Phone: (202) 224-4774; Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Phone: (202) 224-2541; Susan Collins (R-Maine), Phone: (202) 224-2523; Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Phone: (202) 224-5344; Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Phone: (202) 224-4654; Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Phone: (202) 224-6221; Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Phone: (202) 224-5641; Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Phone: (202) 224-5054; Christopher Bond (R-Mo.), Phone: (202) 224-5721; Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), Phone: (202) 224-4224; John Sununu (R-N.H.), Phone: (202) 224-2841; Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Phone: (202) 224-3154; George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Phone: (202) 224-3353; Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), Phone: (202) 224-3753; Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Phone: (202) 224-4944; John Warner (R-Virginia), Phone: (202) 224-2023; John D. Rockefeller IV (R-W.Va.), Phone: (202) 224-6472
Lee van der Voo