Journalists File Complaint Over Senate Trial Access

The Washington Post reports:

The organization representing daily reporters on Capitol Hill is protesting restrictions expected to be imposed on the news media during the Senate impeachment trial, saying the security crackdown will severely limit access to lawmakers and stifle coverage of the proceedings.

“Capitol Hill is one of the most accessible places in Washington, but the proposed restrictions exceed those put in place during the State of the Union, Inauguration Day or even during the Clinton impeachment trial 20 years ago,” Los Angeles Times congressional reporter Sarah D. Wire, who chairs the Standing Committee of Correspondents, said in a letter to Senate leaders.

The letter — addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) — said Capitol security officials are considering measures that are all but certain to make it harder for journalists to report on the trial and question senators about their actions.

Access is being limited apparently at the order of GOP Sen. Roy Blunt [photo above], chairman of the Rules and Administration Committee.

Here is the statement that the Standing Committee sent to Senate leadership pic.twitter.com/i3qXbGqVNz

— Sarah D. Wire (@sarahdwire) January 14, 2020