Shield prospects looking good

Both houses of Congress have been doing just about everything but passing a federal shield law that would guarantee the right of reporters to protect sources except in certain matters of national security. The bipartisan efforts have moved ahead despite the threat of a veto from the Bush administration.

However, the prospects of a veto by the next administration have withered away. John McCain (R-AZ) has indicated that he would support the shield, and both of the remaining Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Barack Obama (D-IL) are actual co-sponsors of the Senate version of the "Free Flow of Information Act," the legislation that would make the shield the law of the land.

At this point, a bill has overwhelmingly passed on the floor of the House, by a 398-21 vote, and it has also been passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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