A bipartisan piece of legislation introduced Thursday would force the Supreme Court to broadcast its proceedings.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) announced the Cameras in the Courtroom Act of 2017. It would only apply to open sessions of the court, which members of the public are already invited to attend in person.
"Decisions made by the Supreme Court impact the lives of all Americans in every corner of the country, but their proceedings often don't reach beyond the four walls of the courtroom," Durbin said in a press release. "And while we may disagree on the outcome of these cases, we can all agree that the American public deserves greater access to the arguments and decisions that will shape our society for years to come."
Added Grassley, "Opening up the Supreme Court's public proceedings to cameras and other broadcast tools provides a window into the court for all Americans, not just those in Washington, D.C. It would also expand the people's understanding of our judicial system."
Three Democratic senators are co-sponsoring the bill: Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.
A similar House bill was introduced by Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Judge Ted Poe (R-Texas).
According to the National Constitution Center, cameras are allowed in the Supreme Court building but not in the courtroom. The court is located behind the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
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