The Supreme Court: Attend The Confirmation Hearings Of Harriet Miers

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Follow the confirmation hearings online:

Information in this section:

Public Guidelines
For The Nomination Hearing Of Samuel A. Alito, Jr.,
Of New Jersey, To Be An Associate Justice
Of The Supreme Court Of The United States

Media Guidelines
For The Nomination Hearing Of Samuel A. Alito, Jr.,
Of New Jersey, To Be An Associate Justice
Of The Supreme Court Of The United States

Who: Members of the Media: Reporters, Photographers, and Producers

What: Media Access and Accreditation for the Supreme Court Nomination Hearing of Samuel A. Alito, Jr.

When: Week of January 9, 2006

Where: Hart Room 216

Note: Members of the media planning to cover the hearing MUST PRE-REGISTER with the United States Senate Press and Media Galleries in order to obtain the proper access and accreditation for the hearing. Due to a limited amount of seats in the hearing room, members of the media MUST RESERVE A SEAT with the United States Senate Press and Media Galleries.

Contact Information:

Accreditation and pre-registration for members of the media interested in covering the Supreme Court Nomination Hearing are being coordinated by the United States Senate Press and Media Galleries. Their contact information is as follows:

Daily Press Gallery: (202) 224-0241
Periodical Press Gallery: (202) 224-0265
Press Photographer’s Gallery: (202) 224-6548
Radio Television Gallery: (202) 224-6421

For more information on and the guidelines of the United States Senate Press and Media Galleries, please go to: http://www.senate.gov/galleries

For general information regarding the Supreme Court Nomination Hearing please contact the Senate Committee on the Judiciary at (202) 224-5225 or visit our website at: http://www.judiciary.senate.gov

Frequently Asked Questions:

I am a reporter, producer, or photographer interested in covering the hearing. How do I obtain the appropriate accreditation to gain access into the hearing room?

Members of the Media planning to cover the hearing MUST PRE-REGISTER with the United States Senate Press and Media Galleries. In addition to pre-registration, individuals will need a “hard” credential in order to obtain access to the hearing room.

Due to a limited amount of seats in the hearing room, Members of the Media MUST RESERVE A SEAT with the United States Senate Press and Media Galleries.

I am a reporter from out of town or a foreign journalist that does not have a “hard” credential. How do I obtain the appropriate “hard” credential for the hearing?

Members of the Media that meet the appropriate guidelines and rules for obtaining a “hard” credential should contact their respective Gallery. This should be done well in advance of the hearing to allow for the adequate time required to obtain a “hard” credential.

I am doing a documentary or I am an independent photographer interested in getting still photos or video coverage of the hearing. How do I obtain access to the hearing?

Only Members of the Media that have obtained the appropriate “hard” credential and have pre-registered with the United States Senate Press and Media Galleries will be allowed access to the hearing.

Video coverage for the hearing has been mandated by the Radio/Television Gallery. In order to obtain access, Members of the Media should contact their respective Gallery.

How early should I get to the hearing and where should I go?

Members of the Media are encouraged to arrive at the hearing far in advance of the scheduled start time. Access into the hearing room will be available for Members of the Media with a “reserved” space approximately 1 hour before the hearings are scheduled to begin.

What will I be able to bring into the hearing room?

Due to the limited amount of space available in the hearing room, Members of the Media are not allowed to bring articles such as jackets, briefcases, and other materials into the hearing room. Members of the Media will be allowed to bring a laptop computer into the hearing room (wireless access should be available). Members of the Media will also be allowed the use of a voice recorder in the hearing. ONLY still photographers will be allowed the use of cameras in the hearing room. All communication devices must be in the off or silent mode. Use of cell phones is strictly prohibited, except by authorized staff. Failure to comply with this rule could result in removal from the hearing.

What type of resources will be available to Members of the Media at the hearing?

The Judiciary Committee will provide a filing center for Members of the Media to use throughout the hearing. To reserve a space in the filing center, Members of the Media must reserve a space with their respective Gallery. The filing centers will have desk space, televisions, and phones available for use.

The filing center is located in:
· Hart SH30X (Hart 216 hearing room, upper level)

The filing centers will become operational on January 9 at 10:00 AM

There are no longer any reserved spaces available for Members of the Media in the hearing room. How do I cover the hearing?

Members of the Media MUST RESERVE A SEAT with the United States Senate Press and Media Galleries. In the event that all reserved space is used, Members of the Media will be required to cover the hearings from the filing centers that are provided.

NOTE: Due to safety concerns, standing will NOT be allowed in the hearing room. Failure to follow this rule could result in removal from the hearing.

How will information such as Senators’ statements and relevant documents be distributed to Members of the Media?

Only Senators’ statements and relevant documents will be allowed for distribution in the hearing room. Distribution will be performed by the Judiciary Committee staff. In addition, copies of relevant materials will be provided at the filing center.

I am not a Member of the Media, but my organization or group would like to distribute informational materials to Members of the Media covering the hearing. Where would I be able do to that?

Outside organizations and groups will NOT be allowed to distribute information inside the hearing room. A table will be provided at the filing center for any organization or group wishing to distribute materials at the hearing.