Republican Senate leadership, read Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, has prohibited reporters from filming interviews in the hallway, and now requires prior permission from the Senate Rules Committee and prior permission from the Senator for all interviews. In other words, reporters can no longer interview Republican Senators as the GOP drafts their health care bill in secret.
The Republican majority is doing everything they can to keep the public in the dark:
CONDITIONS for any interview: Previously granted permission from senator AND Rules Committee of Senate
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 13, 2017
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
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
What this means is that journalists will no longer have the access that they need to hold Senate Republicans accountable for the health care bill. Make no mistake about it. These new rules are all about keeping the health care bill a secret so that you do not know what is in the bill before it is voted on.
This is not how democracy works. If Republicans can’t defend their bill, they shouldn’t pass it. Senators were elected to represent the people, not write and pass laws in secret that will take away their health care.
Republicans must be stopped, and you can make your voice heard by calling 202-224-6352, and demanding that journalists be allowed to hold Senators accountable.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
