Ellison: Why Didn’t Critics of AP Subpoenas Back 2007 Shield Law?

Rep. Keith Ellison slammed Republicans critics of the Obama administration’s investigation into AP subpoenas for not backing a law that he said could have prevented it.

The Justice Department has come under fire for sweeping subpoenas of Associated Press phone records. On Wednesday, Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank called Attorney General Eric Holder’s testimony an “abdication” of responsibility.

But on MSNBC Thursday, Ellison said it’s disingenuous for Republicans to call out the Obama administration when congressmen like California Rep. Darrell Issa voted against a 2007 shield law proposal that would have given them a greater ability to quash subpoenas.

“The reality is Congress cannot abdicate its own responsibility,” said the 5^th District congressman, who voted for the failed shield law proposal. “We should’ve passed a law that would’ve made this kind of thing impossible or extremely difficult to do. That would’ve been better.”

Ellison added that he’s a firm believer in the freedom of the press and would like to see legislators take this opportunity to take up the shield law proposal again.

“I think this is the right time for people to step up and think about what they could’ve done to stop this tragedy—more importantly, how we make sure it does not happen again—because the people of this country have a right to know,” he said.