[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 190 (Monday, December 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H8344-H8345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CAMERAS IN THE SUPREME COURT

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)

[[Page H8345]]

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court is the most 
important court in the world. However, very few citizens have the 
chance to watch the Supreme Court in action when historic lawsuits come 
before it. This is because the seating in the courtroom is limited. The 
Supreme Court will soon take up the health care bill and rule on its 
constitutionality. This monumental case affects every single American; 
yet only a select group will be able to attend the hearing.
  Representative Gerry Connolly has introduced legislation that I 
support to allow cameras in the Supreme Court. A single nonintrusive-
type camera, controlled by the Court staff would allow for greater 
access in the decisions made by the nine jurists in black robes. I know 
cameras can be placed in a courtroom without disruption because I was 
one of the first judges in Texas to allow cameras to film criminal 
cases.
  A lack of seating capacity is no reason to deny the American people 
the right to see Supreme Court proceedings. The American people deserve 
an all-access pass to watch the High Court rule on the law of the land.
  And that's just the way it is.

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