Mike Pence: “enshrined in the first amendment of the Constitution are these words: ``Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom…”

“enshrined in the first amendment of the Constitution are these words: ``Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press.'' Nevertheless, in the last two decades, we have seen a troubling increase in the number of occasions where reporters have faced threats of subpoena, subpoenas and even jail time for refusing to reveal confidential sources. Mr. Speaker, compelling reporters to testify and compelling them to reveal the identity of their confidential sources is a detriment to the public interest. And last week, my colleague, Congressman Rick Boucher of Virginia, along with a distinguished bipartisan group of original cosponsors, introduced the Free Flow of Information Act, which would protect a reporter's right to keep confidential sources confidential. As a conservative who believes in limited government, I believe the only check on government power in real time is a free and independent press. I urge all of my colleagues to give due consideration to this bipartisan legislation. Let us put a stitch in this tear in the first amendment freedom of the press. I urge cosponsorship of the Free Flow of Information Act.”