GOP Introduces Bill Aimed at Punishing Assange

Leading Republicans have introduced legislation specifically aimed at prosecuting Julian Assange for his WikiLeaks spillage. Using the Espionage Act, as planned, didn't work when the federal government tried to suppress the Pentagon Papers published in the New York Times. The Enforcing Lawful Dissemination (Shield) Bill, introduced by New York GOP Rep. Peter King, would make it illegal to publish the names of military or intelligence community informants. King will soon be the head of the House Intelligence Committee.

The measure mirrors legislation introduced by Massachusetts Tea Party Sen. Scott Brown, GOP Maine Sen.Susan Collins, and Connecticut Independent Joe Lieberman. Hearings on the Espionage Act "update" may begin as early as this week, reports the Independent. "WikiLeaks presents a clear and present danger to the national security of the United States, and Julian Assange, an enemy of the US, should be prosecuted under the Espionage Act," King said as he introduced his bill.
(More Julian Assange stories.)