Reporters were abruptly barred on Tuesday morning from conducting on-camera interviews in the hallways of U.S. Capitol, drawing swift condemnation from reporters and some lawmakers, including Colorado’s U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.
“The attacks by the president on the free press have been outrageous,” Bennet said in a video statement posted to his Twitter account. “And now for the majority in the Senate to bar reporters from their customary places … is a further attack and it can’t stand.”
Attacking the free press & banning reporters is at war with who we are as Americans. This can't stand. #FreePress pic.twitter.com/pazY8gUgMU
— Michael Bennet (@SenatorBennet) June 13, 2017
The Washington Post reports journalists were told to stop filming interviews in Senate hallways Tuesday, a dramatic break with tradition as lawmakers face pressure to respond to journalists’ inquiries about President Donald Trump, health care legislation and other matters.
The Post, citing correspondents from major television networks, said staff from the Senate Radio and Television Gallery told them they could no longer conduct impromptu interviews with lawmakers in the hallways without prior authorization from the Senate Rules Committee and the lawmakers’ own staff.
Politico reports that the word came down after the Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday issued strict new rules that the media needs to have prior approval from both the committee’s staff and the senator they want to interview.
Kasie Hunt, an NBC News political corespondent said on Twitter: “Reporters at Capitol have been told they are not allow to film interviews with senators in hallways, contrary to years of precedent.”
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D- Minn., said on Twitter that “This is no time for limiting press access in U.S. Senate. Russia hearings, Sessions testifying & (secret?) health care bill being drafted!”
Here are some other reactions:
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
This should concern everyone who wants to hear from their lawmaker. The Capitol is one of the last places reporters can roam more/less free https://t.co/juFtADWWKe
— Amber Phillips (@byamberphillips) 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
