US Senate panel advances bills allowing cameras in US Supreme Court, lower courts
The bipartisan measure would allow cameras in open sessions unless justices say filming would violate a party’s due process rights.
- On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the 'Cameras in the Courtroom' Act by voice vote, mandating televised coverage of Supreme Court sessions already open to the public.
- Oral arguments were historically limited to in-person attendance until the Supreme Court introduced live audio during the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, establishing the digital foundation for this legislative push.
- The legislation applies exclusively to sessions already open to the public, with justices able to block coverage if they determine broadcasting would violate a party's constitutional due process rights.
- Senator Chuck Grassley stated cameras would "foster civic engagement," while Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin urged colleagues to support the measure to increase confidence in the judicial branch.
- Senators Richard Blumenthal , Amy Klobuchar , and Adam Schiff joined as co-sponsors, expanding the bipartisan coalition as the bill advances to the full Senate for a vote.
8 Articles
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Cameras in the courtroom?
In recognition of Juneteenth, this is an abridged edition of SCOTUStoday.Reminder: If you’d like to attend our July 8 term-in-review event at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, register your interest here. The event will feature a fireside chat with the ACLU’s Cecillia Wang, who argued the birthright citizenship case before the Supreme Court; a live taping of the Advisory Opinions podcast; and a discussion of the historical framework of …
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Durbin-Grassley Bill to Allow Cameras in Supreme Court
WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill by voice vote to require open proceedings of the Supreme Court to be televised. The bipartisan Cameras in the Courtroom Act,introduced by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, would require the Supreme Court to permit television coverage …
Senate Panel Advances Bills to Allow Cameras in US Supreme Court, Lower Courts
“The public has a right to observe the cases before the highest court, and these Supreme Court decisions have national importance, and they affect the lives of every American," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "This legislation ensures access to all Americans, even those who may not have resources to travel to Washington, D.C., and observe the court in person.”
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