Civil lawsuit over release of tapes of congressional phone call dismissed

Article Abstract:

The US DC District Court dismissed a suit brought by Rep John Boehner against Rep James McDermott. McDermott had delivered to newspapers a taped telephone conversation in which Boehner and other House Republican leaders discussed political strategy regarding Rep Newt Gingrich's alleged ethics violations. Two citizens who used a police scanner to tape Boehner's cell telephone conversation delivered it to McDermott. The Court ruled McDermott's receipt of the tape did not violate wiretapping laws prohibiting interception. Boehner announced he would appeal.

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Federal driver's record act labeled an invalid exercise of congressional power

Article Abstract:

The US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a South Carolina trial court ruling that the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) violated states rights under the Tenth Amendment. The DPPA restricts access to driver information located in state motor vehicle department records. South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon sued in District Court in South Carolina, claiming Congress had no power to regulate state use of motor vehicle records.

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Present from justices may signal end of party

Article Abstract:

The author discusses the effects which the US Supreme Court's decision in Bartnicki v. Vopper may have on the press, even though the decision upheld First Amendment rights.

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