UPDATE: Senate Committee Tables Shield Law Again

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Despite a letter signed by Attorney General Eric Holder and Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair endorsing a revised S.B. 448, the Free Flow of Information Act of 2009, the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday tabled consideration of the bill, which would protect journalists against being compelled to reveal confidential sources in federal court.

The Senate Committee has been grappling with the measure since April 2009 (see "TUOL" posts 11/2/09, 10/1/09, 9/18/09, 9/16/09). Both Democratic and Republican members of the Committee said more time was needed to consider the compromise bill, which besides White House support, has been endorsed by 70 journalism organizations. The House of Representatives passed its version of the shield law in March 2009.

The failure of the Committee to take up the shield law comes on the heels of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hinting that solons may not finalize health reform legislation before 2010.

Apparently, the nation over which the Senate presides is stagnation.