On January 27, 2015, Transparency Caucus co-chair Rep. Mike Quigley and Rep. Gerald Connolly hosted a panel discussion on the importance of providing video and live audio streaming of Supreme Court proceedings — particularly in light of the upcoming same-sex marriage cases.

The Transparency Caucus has a full recap of the panel here.

Panelists included:

-David Fontana, Associate Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School

-Michelle Schwartz, Director of Justice Programs, Alliance for Justice

-Katie Townsend, Litigation Director, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

-Daniel Schuman, Policy Director, Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

Editor’s note (March 2022): The Supreme Court finally made live audio streaming of oral arguments public in May 2020, mid COVID-19 pandemic. The effect on public access was widespread and immediate. POGO’s analysis of the session beginning May 2020: “Instead of the 500 to 1,000 people who would have been able to attend the session’s 10 cases in person, more than 130,000 people streamed the arguments live.” In addition to making live audio streaming permanent, the court should look into adding video live-streams to further promote transparency and accessibility.