Lawmakers rap Mukasey on reporter shield bill

WASHINGTON - Lawmakers chided Attorney General Michael Mukasey on Wednesday for claiming national security concerns in opposing legislation that would allow reporters to protect the identities of confidential sources.

"Ten angels swearing on Bibles that that bill is harmless would not change the provisions that are in it," Mukasey told the House Judiciary Committee.

A few minutes later, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., defended the bill he said
was carefully written to discourage leaks of classified or other sensitive information that could risk security.

Without it, he said, long-standing press freedoms would be threatened.

"If 10 angels swearing on Bibles wouldn't change your view of this bill, would 40 American journalists subpoenaed, questioned or held in contempt do it?" Pence of Columbus asked.

He added: "This is a constitutional statutory response to a rising erosion of our First Amendment freedom of the press."

Mukasey, who once successfully represented the New York Daily News in a libel case, said he was open to considering compromises. But he said current laws limiting the government's ability to force reporters to reveal their sources are adequate.

"I'm not willing to take steps that will essentially do more to protect the leakers than it does to protect journalists," he said.

Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar has written a similar bill in the Senate, which is waiting a vote.
Mukasey testified for 4½ hours, facing questions on everything from terror detainees and executive authority to immigration laws and upcoming Justice Department policies that critics fear will lead to racial and ethnic profiling. On the last issue, he denied that they would.

Several Democrats on the panel raised concerns about the Justice Department's efforts to ensure fair elections this year amid an expected higher voter turnout than usual.