Last November, C-SPAN asked incoming House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to allow them to install their own cameras in the House chamber. Currently, all cameras in the chamber are operated by the government and controlled by the Speaker.
Today, C-SPAN heard back from Speaker Boehner’s office, and it looks like the status quo will remain as such.
“Consistent with the precedent set by former Speakers, I believe the American people–and the dignity and decorum of the United Stated House of Representatives–are best served by the current system of televised proceedings provided by the House Recording Studio,” said Boehner in a letter to C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb (read the full letter after the jump).
C-SPAN responded with a statement expressing disappointment in the decision:
“We’re disappointed to learn that despite 32 years of experience with televising its sessions and in an age of ubiquitous cameras in political life, the House of Representatives has chosen not to allow C-SPAN’s cameras into its chamber to cover its sessions. We continue to feel that the public is best served by seeing a more complete picture of the legislative process than what’s delivered by Congressionally-controlled cameras and will continue to work with Speaker Boehner and other leaders in the House in hope of one day gaining access on behalf of the media.”