Mike Pence: “1 month ago, we stood in this assembled Chamber and pledged ourselves to support and defend the Constitution of the…”

“1 month ago, we stood in this assembled Chamber and pledged ourselves to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Chief among the rights enumerated in that Constitution is the freedom of the press. Unfortunately, last year almost a dozen reporters were served or threatened with jail sentences in at least three different Federal jurisdictions for refusing to reveal confidential sources. Compelling reporters to testify and, in particular, compelling them to reveal the identity of their confidential sources is a detriment to the public interest. Without the promise of confidentiality, many important conduits of information about government activity would be shut down. Today, 31 States and the District of Columbia have various statutes that protect reporters from being compelled to testify and disclose sources of information in court, but there is no Federal protection. Mr. Speaker, today, along with the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Boucher), I will introduce the Free Flow of Information Act. This important legislation will provide reporters with protection from being compelled to disclose sources of information in any Federal criminal or civil case without meeting strict criteria. "Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it." Thomas Jefferson said that, and he was right.”