Republicans intensified their criticism of news media over security issues Thursday as the House debated a resolution that condemns public disclosure of secret surveillance programs.
Republican lawmakers in both houses of Congress said government employees who revealed details of a secret Treasury Department effort to monitor bank transfers to the New York Times and other news outlets had undermined national security.
Ohio Republican Rep. Michael Oxley said such disclosures helped terrorists hide their activities more effectively.
"What's the average terrorist going to think? He's going to find a different way to move his money around, that's what he's going to do," said Oxley, sponsor of the House resolution. "He's going to change his behavior."
Oxley's nonbinding resolution condemns the disclosre of classified information and says the House "expects the cooperation of all news media ... by not disclosing classified intelligence programs."
Democrats said Republicans should not blame newspapers for holding the Bush administration accountable when they have declined to do so, and pointed out that Republicans did not protest when leaks worked in their favor.
Over the past week, President Bush has led a chorus of criticism against the Times and other media outlets for their coverage of the bank-monitoring effort and a separate surveillance program that monitors phone calls without a court warrant.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said of his similar resolution: "We need to express collective outrage at the indiscriminate leaking of classified information." His resolution also calls on the Justice Department to prosecute people who leak classified information.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter declined to endorse Cornyn's resolution.
"I think there would have to be a clear-cut showing of prejudice and damage before I would favor any resolution to inhibit media coverage," the Pennsylvania Republican told reporters.
Separately, Arizona Republican Rep. J.D. Hayworth has gathered 70 signatures on a letter calling for Times reporters' media credentials to be revoked.
