Posted on 01/15/2020 12:45:40 PM PST by jazusamo
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) distanced himself on Wednesday from proposed restrictions on reporters covering the upcoming Senate impeachment trial, calling it a "huge mistake."
"There is an effort to limit the press. ... I'm going to vote against that, if I'm allowed to vote," Kennedy told reporters. "U.S. senators are grown women and grown men. If they don't want to make a comment, they know how to say 'no comment.'"
The Standing Committee of Correspondents said on Tuesday that the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and the Senate Rules Committee are preparing to force new restrictions on press in the Capitol during the trial, including restricting the ability for reporters to talk to senators, something that is normally routine around Capitol Hill.
The committee said they had tried to work with the Rules panel and the sergeant-at-arms, but every suggestion they made was rejected “without an explanation of how the restrictions contribute to safety rather than simply limit coverage of the trial.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), the top Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee and a 2020 presidential candidate, said on Tuesday night that she opposes the restrictions and has made her concerns known to Rules Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). "No, I don't support it, and I have been in contact with both sides on this issue," she said. "I made it very clear, I talked to Sen. Blunt about this, I think we should have open access for the press."
The Senate isn't expected to hold a formal vote on the press restrictions as part of its process for establishing the impeachment rules. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) did note, however, that Republicans discussed it during a closed-door caucus lunch on Tuesday.
Kennedy added on Wednesday that he does not "support" the proposed restrictions.
"If the media is limited to a specific geographical area so people can avoid them, we're not children. We're grown men and grown women. ...I just think that sends the wrong message," he said.
One of the proposed restrictions would require reporters to stand in press pens on the second floor of the Senate. Reporters would not be allowed to leave the pens to talk to senators.
OMG are these senators just IDIOTS, my goodness this will be a chance to show the American people the DRASTIC CONTRAST between the two sides AND just how stupid the Dems are!!! I mean Jay Sekulow up against Nadler REALLY the pubbies don’t want that blasted on TV screens!!! Our side ARE FOOLS!!!{
I say it’s fine to allow the press. Just don’t allow CNN.
Kennedy is a moron. The Fake News often ignored GOP presentations in the House. They’ll do the same if allowed in the Senate and Kennedy is fine “selling them to the rope” to do it. The GOP and POTUS will actually get less air time because FN will fill the time with grandstanding Dems. But Kennedy will get his 3 minute sound bite on fox which is all he cares about, obviously. They don’t call the GOP the Stupid Party for nothing.
He might think U.S. Senators are grown men, and women, but do they have actual brains, and use them for the benefit of American citizens? The main stream media will report whatever the self-serving Democrats tell them to.
I agree with him, have the press in there and make the Dems and media pay with their BS fake impeachment.
Give them a feed of One America News network! :-)
I like Kennedy but we’re not talking about an honest press here. They are nothing more than Trump hating scum. I agree with others here to just let C-Span cover it.
I hope the guy was misquoted but it appears to be a ridiculous comment at the moment .
The Kavanaugh media disaster is Exhibit A on killing his idea.
I bet many press people are worried about their jobs. Trump has put all those press jobs in jeopardy.
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It is a huge mistake.
We don’t have a press. We have the reincarnation of Hitler’s Ministry of Propaganda.
CNN is ATT
Just apply the same tules that the Nadler and Schiff committees used in the House: only the Majority can call witnesses, there will be no cross-examination by the Minority and meetings will be held in camera, releasing a transcript only. The public will recognize this as fair. Why make up new rules? It just confuses a simple case for dismissal.
rules not tules
I thought that, during an impeachment “trial”, the Senators are treated like a Grand Jury and therefore are not allowed to talk about what transpires from day to day.
I thought that, during an impeachment “trial”, the Senators are treated like a Grand Jury and therefore are not allowed to talk about what transpires from day to day.
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Correcting.
Actually, the House served like a Grand Jury and indicted, except the members were out talking to the press everyday
The Senate serves like a traditional jury with a gag order and the members are not allowed to talk to the press.
I seem to remember something about the impeachment hearings being held in sealed chambers
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