The top senators on the Judiciary Committee asked the Supreme Court to consider live television coverage of the upcoming ObamaCare ruling in a letter yesterday to Chief Justice John Roberts.
The hotly anticipated ruling is expected over the next couple of weeks.
“We believe that the issues in the case are as important and consequential as any in recent Court history,” Sens. Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wrote. “In conducting its review, the Court directed parties to address the constitutionality of the act, the severability of the individual mandate, and the extent of the spending power of Congress. Given the fundamental constitutional questions raised and the effects the decision will have, the Court should be aware of the great interest Americans have in the outcome of this case.”
The High Court has never allowed cameras in the courtroom. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have at one time or another introduced legislation to change this, allowing for the justices’ discretion to exclude cases in which the due process rights of anyone involved may be violated.
“Broadcasting the Court’s ruling would permit millions of citizens the opportunity to view what so few can from the court’s small and limited public gallery,” Grassley and Leahy wrote. “Modem technology makes televising the proceedings simple and unobtrusive. A minimal number of cameras in the courtroom, which could be placed to be barely noticeable to all participants, would provide live coverage of what may be one of the most historic rulings of our time.”
“We believe permitting the nation to watch the proceedings would bolster public confidence in our judicial system and in the decisions of the Court.”
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