UPDATES & ANALYSIS

Chief Justice Cady to Testify Before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee

by Ryan Koopmans | December 5, 2011

By Ryan Koopmans

Tomorrow, Chief Justice Cady will testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the topic of cameras in the courtroom.  The Iowa Supreme Court began streaming its oral arguments online in August of this year and has allowed video coverage since 1979.  Some members of Congress would like similar coverage of the U.S.  Supreme Court, but so far, the justices have resisted.  Justice Alito gave his reason for doing so last year in a speech at Drake University. 

Pressure to put cameras in the U.S. Supreme Court has only increased with the announcement that the justices will consider the constitutionality of the new health care law.  Last month, Senator Charles Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, requested that those arguments be broadcast. 

The Senate hearing–officially titled “Access to the Court: Televising the Supreme Court”–starts at 9:00 a.m., and will be webcast at this link.

Tags: Chief Justice Cady, Iowa Supreme Court