Freedom to Read Amendment fails.

• Author: Swartz, Nikki
• Position: Up Front: news, trends & analysis - Brief Article

In July, the Freedom to Read Amendment to the Commerce, Justice, State (CJS) Appropriations Bill died in a tie vote--210 to 210--in the U.S. House of Representatives. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), would have barred the Justice Department from using any of the money appropriated under the CJS bill to search bookstore and library records under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. Under the current law, investigators must obtain court orders requiring book dealers, libraries, or others to surrender records, but such orders are issued by a special court that...