The Senate is blocking TV reporters from interviewing lawmakers in the Capitol

[demmiblue]

Source: Think Progress

The Senate made an unprecedented move on Tuesday and began banning members of the media from interviewing lawmakers in the halls of the U.S. Capitol, according to multiple reporters.

As GOP senators draft their signature health care law in secret, refusing to share the text of the bill with the public or the media, TV reporters said they were approached in the halls by Senate staff who said they could no longer film interviews with lawmakers.

The reporters, who typically stake out members of Congress in the halls as they head to and from hearings, were not given prior notice.

NBC News’ Kasie Hunt and Marianna Sotomayor and Bloomberg TV’s Kevin Cirilli all said they were told to stop filming.

Read more: https://thinkprogress.org/senate-interview-lawmakers-dcbb3469dc2c

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. The ACLU ought to get involved. Seems to me that could be a First Amendment problem.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, OR OF THE PRESS; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

[still_one]

2. Absolutely. This needs to be taken to the courts

[femmocrat]

13. Agree.

This is a public building and they are public employees. They are accountable to the press. God, I hope someone sues their asses.

[forgotmylogin]

16. This.

Federal buildings are not palaces for the oligarchs to guard.

[Liberalagogo]

17. ACLU Statement:

Last edited Tue Jun 13, 2017, 07:57 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10141798427

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

23. Good. I'd hoped (and assumed) they'd take note.

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. Healthcare is gone, America is now Russia lite.

Get used to it.

But hey, at least we dont have private server woman, eh!

[Trust Buster]

4. Okie dokie, may I hear from the DU members who believe that Senate Republican's will

re-authorize the Independent Counsel Statute if Trump fires Mueller because they care about their reputations ? Anyone ?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. They will if Democrats like you weld the Trump & Republican brands together & make tRump toxic enuf

Republicans are very nervous about 2018 and some are showing some signs of panic.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029180967

Track Rep & Senator percentage voting with tRump in Congress:
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/house/

Republican President Trump and Republican Leader McCONnell and Republican Speaker Ryan are the same Party.
Weld that brand.

[Texin]

19. They don't look "very nervous" about 2018 or otherwise,

or they wouldn't be doing things like they are today and likely going forward. We might as well all be living in Venezuela, Putinland or Syria 'bout now.

[Chickensoup]

5. Please wake me up.

Are we living an episode of the
Twilight Zone with all that happening
Around us?

[blueinredohio]

6. Then the next time one of them has something they want

televised reporters should say no

[Voltaire2]

7. We are in dangerous waters.

These fuckers are establishing a one party state. Part of that process includes destroying the ability of an independent fourth estate to keep the people informed.

[vi5]

8. I'm sure this is going to really anger the press and get them motivated...

...to really hold the Republicans accountable and start running hard hitting, powerful pieces and exposes on their corruption and anti-American actions.


Just kidding. They're just going to try harder to please republicans and say nice things about them so that they get good access.

[Sunlei]

9. They block information from the American people when they block the press!!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

10. This is CENSORSHIP

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects Free Speech and Freedom of the Press to hold our Government and Lawmakers accountable for laws that affect our lives. This is a blatant violation of that Amendment.

[Runningdawg]

12. Time to bite the bullet

Reporters should refuse to enter the US capitol for ANY reason.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Clear cut violation of the First Amendment. nt

[orangecrush]

15. Another donation to ACLU

From reading your op.

Today.

[SunSeeker]

18. K & R for exposure.

[mac56]

20. Oh well, who cares.

The 2nd is the only amendment that matters anyway.

[Blue_Adept]

21. Maybe they'll establish some press zones outside in the open

maybe some nice fencing around them too just so they can all be corralled together...

Easier for the senators to avoid. Well, except for those that love the camera in safe spaces.

[dae]

22. I think they got tired of Will Rogers snickering in the background.