Reporters Banned From Filming Interviews With Senators Without Permission
Republicans ban reporters from interviewing Senators in the Capitol hallways.
Reporters at the Capitol have been banned from filming interviews with Senators in the hallways of the Capitol building without prior permission from the senator and a committee.
The news of the reporting block was first reported by NBC News’s Kasie Hunt on Tuesday.
Hunt said that reporters were told they can no longer film interviews with senators unless the senator and the Senate Rules Committee says it’s okay.
The move to block interviews breaks with years of precedent and is a worrisome sign for freedom of the press.
ALERT: Reporters at Capitol have been told they are not allow to film interviews with senators in hallways, contrary to years of precedent
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017
CONDITIONS for any interview: Previously granted permission from senator AND Rules Committee of Senate
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017
The decision to ban interviews in the halls of the Senate comes as Senate Republicans move to pass their Obamacare repeal bill without publicly disclosing the draft of the legislation.
Republicans have come under fire for refusing to hold public hearings on the controversial Republican health bill.
Democrats were quick to blast the move on Twitter:
As ranking member of the Senate Rules Committee I call on the majority to allow reporting in the Capitol to proceed as usual.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 13, 2017
Senators shouldn't need to hide. We serve the people & they have a right to know what we are doing. https://t.co/HqGadvoQQu
— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) June 13, 2017
Maybe not the right moment to lower the secrecy veil on Congress. To whoever is trying to protect Senators – we can fend for ourselves. https://t.co/YSbTuaIZKV
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 13, 2017
