The panel is set to consider the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act , which makes it a federal crime to publish or link to information related to illegal drugs or drug advertising. Civil libertarians said the measure should be rewritten to remove restrictions on Web publishing and eliminate a controversial section that would allow police to conduct secret searches and seizures. Johnson has lobbied both Democratic and Republican members of the Judiciary Committee , arguing that the bill is so vague it could put even mainstream publishers at risk.
Nobody really knows.
The American Booksellers Association also has cautioned Congress about approving the restrictions. In 1998, the percentage of 12th graders who used meth was double the 1992 level. Meth-related emergency room incidents are up 63 percent over that same period. Since the House version, sponsored by Representative Chris Cannon and 19 other members of Congress, is different from the Senate bill, a conference committee would be necessary to reconcile the two pieces of legislation. To avoid that possibility, some House Judiciary Committee members are considering replacing Cannon's bill with the Senate legislation.