washington senior u.s. lawmaker express new willingness support legislation establish grind rule technology firm grant authorities access products apple inc aapl.o say would fight court order unlock iphone link san bernardino shoot rampage representative adam schiff top democrat u.s. house representatives intelligence committee say statement wednesday complex issue raise apple case well prevalence strongly encrypt devices communications ultimately need resolve congress administration industry rather court alone two weeks ago schiff tell reporters consider legislative approach issue neither feasible even desirable tuesday federal judge los angeles say apple must provide reasonable technical assistance investigators seek unlock data iphone use san bernardino shooter rizwan farook wife kill 14 people dec. 2. apple say would fight court order say would set dangerous precedent could ultimately undermine security iphones lawmakers far consensus issue schiff say court decision likely accelerate consideration weigh compete privacy security competitiveness issue schiff pivot could signal renew interest lawmakers encryption debate far find little traction congress house judiciary committee plan hold hear encryption march invite apple attend accord congressional source senators richard burr dianne feinstein republican democratic leaders senate intelligence panel respectively say want pursue encryption legislation though neither introduce bill yet wall street journal cite anonymous source report thursday burr work proposal would levy criminal penalties company comply court order decrypt communications though say negotiations still fluid however burr spokeswoman becca watkins tell reuters consider criminal penalties draft encryption proposals momentum law would require company provide government access content encrypt devices relevant criminal investigation falter last summer white house stop push bill amid intense opposition technology company privacy advocate difficult gauge apple case impact congress senate house representatives recess week congressional aid say encryption legislation likely still face steep climb especially true house 2014 pass amendment defense fund bill would bar government force organization build technical backdoor products measure late remove negotiations federal officials privately dismiss theory apple case choreograph stir support encryption legislation cindy cohn executive director electronic frontier foundation digital right group say believe u.s. justice department pursue case california one eye congress win-win say prevail court need law lose set go lawmakers say need court give us need new law key u.s. lawmaker suggest openness encryption legislation apple order