Democratic Senators Decry Press Access Restrictions: ‘Cowardly’
A number of senators have already weighed in on the reports from numerous journalists on new restrictions being placed on interviews with members of the Senate.
Democrats were quick to denounce the restrictions:
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
Just ran into my friend @ChrisMurphyCT. I agree. https://t.co/4plcOGAq0B
— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) June 13, 2017
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
This is not right. Free press is essential to our #WeThePeople democracy. Reporters, I'm on your side. https://t.co/a1ZI0oA6mk
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) 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
Press access should never be restricted unfairly, particularly not when one party is trying to sneak a major bill through Congress.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 13, 2017
This is Senate GOP trying to hide from their terrible health care bill. America – demand answers https://t.co/gh9NsTSxoI
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) June 13, 2017
Huh? Maybe worried you will catch the group of guys writing health care bill in back room somewhere. https://t.co/tp5u2dFldh
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) June 13, 2017
Congress belongs to the people- the reporters that hold us accountable on their behalf should be allowed access to the hallways. https://t.co/F1UIGufrdM
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) June 13, 2017
This is cowardly and unilateral. https://t.co/vNBpm7cumw
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) June 13, 2017
Even some Republicans seemed a little taken aback by this:
This is a bad idea. https://t.co/8qmlBSuqCG
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 13, 2017
Sen. Graham on press restrictions in Capitol: "of all the problems in America, y'all are pretty down the list"
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) June 13, 2017
Sen. Graham on press access: "Y'all are kind of a pain in the ass but I don't mind you hanging around."
— Matt Flegenheimer (@mattfleg) June 13, 2017
A spox for Ted Cruz, who is on the Senate Rules Committee tells me of rules change "We were not aware of it until we saw on Twitter"
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) June 13, 2017
Senator Amy Klobuchar, the top Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee, says she has spoken with Senator Richard Shelby, the committee chair, about the matter:
Just spoke with Senator Shelby. He said he wouldn't move forward on change to press access without consulting me and we must hold him to it
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 13, 2017
UPDATE –– 1:15 pm ET: There’s a statement out from the Senate Rules Committee now claiming “no additional restrictions” are in place:
Senate Rules Committee puts out statement insisting there are no changes to existing rules pic.twitter.com/Nq3xpij2GG
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) June 13, 2017
[image via Shutterstock.com]
— —
