Bill to protect sources approved by House panel

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Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Counting on Senate and White House support, lawmakers seeking limited court protection of reporters' confidential sources renewed an effort Wednesday to win passage of legislation that failed last year.

The bill cleared the House Judiciary Committee on a voice vote and should pass in the House soon. But the test will come later this year in the Senate, where the bill died last year after then-President George W. Bush threatened a veto.

The Bush administration warned the bill would encourage leaks of classified information.

Chief sponsor Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., said he's confident of passage "with the addition of a substantial number of (Senate) Democrats who I believe will be supportive." Senate supporters could only muster 51 votes last year to get past a filibuster, when 60 were needed.

President Barack Obama was a sponsor of a shield bill as an Illinois senator and presidential candidate.

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