Sen. Specter, 6 Others File TV Cameras in Supreme Court Bill

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Seven senators led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R- Pa) and ranking member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) have filed a bill (S 1768) to allow the televising of Supreme Court proceedings. Specter said the court’s failure to permit TV cameras on its own volition necessitated legislation. “the Supreme Court of the United States holds power to decide cutting-edge questions on public policy, thereby effectively becoming a virtual “super legislature,” he said. “The public has a right to know what the Supreme Court is doing.” The other sponsoring senators are George Allen (R-Va), John Cornyn (R-Tx), Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), Charles Grassley, (R-IA) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) (9/27/05)