Giving the public greater access to the highest court in the land is the right thing to do and consistent with the founding fathers' intentions for our federal judicial system. I hope this precedent will be expanded to allow full broadcast coverage of court proceedings.
Openness is the key to public confidence in our system.
Grassley and Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York sent a letter early this morning to Rehnquist urging that the Court open its doors to camera coverage. Together, the senators coauthored bipartisan legislation last year to allow broadcast coverage of what goes on in federal courts, including the Supreme Court. Grassley said their Sunshine in the Courtroom Act would allow the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, and televising of federal court proceedings. He conducted a hearing in September to draw attention to the legislation. The bill has not been considered by the Judiciary Committee or the full Senate.