Reporters Banned From Interviewing Lawmakers In The Capitol Without Permission

Reporters are no longer allowed to interview and film senators in the Capitol without prior approval of the senator and the Senate Rules Committee, multiple members of the media reported Tuesday.

NBC News reporter Kasie Hunt was first to report that members of the print, television and radio media had been told they can no longer film interviews with senators without prior approval, a move which breaks years of precedent.

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

McclatchyDC notes:

The Capitol and congressional office buildings are home to a robust press corps that has the ability to access most of the complex. Reporters from print, television, and radio media are free to question members of the House and Senate as they move between their offices, hearings and chamber floors. TV reporters regularly conduct live interviews with senators in the hallways. Members of Congress who don’t wish to participate are free to continue walking or turn down interview requests.

The new rule comes as the Senate is working on its version of a health care bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Reporters took to Twitter to condemn the new rule:

I was just told I cannot stand outside of the Budget Committee hearing room to interview lawmakers. https://t.co/gBdkztGLfO

— Kevin Cirilli (@kevcirilli) June 13, 2017

NEW: The Sen Rules Cmte now wants us to request approval from them for EVERY on-cam interview of a Senator in the hallway we want to conduct

— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) June 13, 2017

Senate Rules Committee and @SenateSAA trying to SHUT DOWN press access in halls. No more staking out hearings without permission. Not OK.

— Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 13, 2017

Can't help but notice this comes as Congress is crafting major legislation behind closed doors without the usual public process there either https://t.co/XutcMJPLj4

— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) June 13, 2017

This is how Republicans govern when they don't want to be asked questions about their secret healthcare bill, or about the president. https://t.co/l4aw4TcE1k

— Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) June 13, 2017

Have these people read the Constitution? https://t.co/ojpVPeY5hn

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) June 13, 2017

We live in a time when technology could make government more transparent, thus trusted. But we're led by the terminally opaque. https://t.co/xYG6mdsNU2

— Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) June 13, 2017

This is a stunning change of precedent. https://t.co/AJ04NOUmjb

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 13, 2017