Free Flow of Information Act

Floor Speech

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION ACT -- (House of Representatives - April 17, 2008)

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Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, 3 years ago, I authored H.R. 2102, the Free Flow of Information Act, with my colleague RICK BOUCHER from the State of Virginia.

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. And the Free Flow of Information Act is not about protecting reporters, it's about protecting the public's right to know.

American people should know, Madam Speaker, we're at a unique moment in the history of this legislation. The overwhelming bipartisan House passage of the Free Flow of Information Act has now been joined with Senate action that includes the leadership of Senator RICHARD LUGAR, Senator ARLEN SPECTER, Senator PATRICK LEAHY and others. Senator BARACK OBAMA and Senator HILLARY CLINTON add themselves as cosponsors of the bill this week, and I heartily welcome the strong endorsement of Senator JOHN MCCAIN of this legislation.

I believe there's now a bipartisan majority in both the House and the Senate to support this vital legislation and ensure the vitality of a free and independent press for generations to come.

We just need one vote in the other body. And I believe we'll put a stitch in this tear in the first amendment freedom of the press.

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