A Senate committee chairman has backed off ordering stricter enforcement of Senate rules that would have prohibited reporters from recording audio and video of lawmakers in many areas of the Capitol.
Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., issued a “clarification” that appeared to retreat from earlier orders that reporters no longer stake out hallways and hearings, where they typically gain access to lawmakers.
“The Rules Committee has made no changes to the existing rules governing press coverage on the Senate side of the Capitol complex,” Shelby, who chairs the panel, said in a statement.
“The committee has been working with the various galleries to ensure compliance with existing rules in an effort to help provide a safe environment for Members of Congress, the press corps, staff, and constituents as they travel from Senate offices to the Capitol. Once again, no additional restrictions have been put in place by the Rules Committee.”
Shelby ordered the crackdown on reporters on Tuesday and it generated an immediate backlash from the media, who, not realizing the rules were on the book, tweeted that the changes went against years of precedent.
Some reporters were told by media gallery staff to clear hallways outside hearing rooms and were told they could no longer record interviews without first getting permission from Shelby’s committee.
It’s not clear why Shelby initially ordered enforcement of the restrictions, but it follows a steady buildup of media throngs in the Capitol as reporters chase down lawmakers to ask them about healthcare, tax reform and the ongoing Russia probes.
Lawmakers in both parties quickly criticized the new enforcement and Democrats seized on it as an indication the GOP is becoming secretive.
Senate Republicans are busy writing a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare behind closed doors and said they do not plan to hold hearings on legislation before voting on it.
Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who is the ranking Democrat on the panel, said Shelby told her Tuesday, “he would never move forward with a major change without consulting with me.”
Klobuchar said Shelby assured her, “that it was an inquiry and that we would talk about it, so he seemed to imply they weren’t going to change the policy, but I’m not going to put words in his mouth.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the Senate wants to work with the press, but referred reporters to the committee.
“We are a press friendly operation around here. As far as how that’s implemented you’ll have to talk to the rules committee.”
Al Weaver contributed to this report
