Sen. John Cornyn responds - 02_12_07

Dear Mr. Johnson: Thank you for contacting me regarding legislation that would permit the televised broadcast of Supreme Court proceedings. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this important matter. During my service in the Senate, I have made open government a priority. Our founders understood that a free society could not exist without informed citizens and an open, accessible government. Indeed, the more information we put into the hands of American people regarding the daily activities of the U.S. government, the stronger our democracy will be. To this end, I have cosponsored a measure in the Senate that would permit the televised broadcast of Supreme Court proceedings. Senate Bill 344 was introduced by Senator Arlen Specter on January 22, 2007. S.344 would amend the federal judicial code, requiring the U.S. Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court unless the justices decide, by majority vote, that such coverage in a particular case would violate the due process rights of one or more of the parties before the Court. S.344 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration. As a member of that committee, I will be certain to keep your views in mind as this legislation is discussed. I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Sincerely, JOHN CORNYN United States Senator