Sen. Durbin’s leadership is needed to pass major law protecting press freedom

The U.S. Senate should act on the legislation that would bar the government from seizing records from journalists or their phone and internet providers except in a few emergency situations. (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has the chance to advance one of the most significant pieces of First Amendment legislation in modern times.

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (PRESS) Act in September. The PRESS Act would bar the government from seizing records from journalists or their phone and internet providers except in a few emergency situations.