Matt Gaetz Wants To Bring C-SPAN Cameras Back On House Floor

C-SPAN was able to offer the public an unfiltered view of the dramatic scenes that took place during the House speaker vote last Wednesday. This is thanks to a Republican lawmaker’s new amendment.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), is proposing an amendment to require that the House speaker allow four cameras owned by C-SPAN to broadcast the proceedings on the chamber’s floor. Fox News.

“I’ve received a lot of feedback from constituents about how interesting it was, and that you were able to see in real-time how our government is functioning, what alliances are being created, what discussions are being had, what animated moments drive the action,” Gaetz said so to the news outlet. “And the pool view of the Congress is antiquated and a little boomer-fied.”

The Republican-led House voted in Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-CA, as the speaker on the 15th ballot shortly after midnight Saturday. C-SPAN received positive reviews during the days-long process for the way its operators captured the most exciting moments in the House chamber during negotiations, voting, and with its wide range of camera angles. Cameras captured Rep. Mike Rogers (R.-AL) in a very exciting moment Friday night. A colleague pulled him away Stop a confrontation with Gaetz

Chaos on the House’s Floor: Kevin McCarthy tried to convince Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-FL, to change his vote from present towards McCarthy after losing the 14th ballot.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R – AL) was then prevented from attacking Gaetz. pic.twitter.com/foyCRVYrw1

— The Recount (@therecount) January 7, 2023

There was some fun to be had too. Cameras that captured Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) chatting with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Gaetz exchanging words with McCarthy led to humorous mock interpretations by Bad Lip Reading, a popular Twitter account, that quickly went viral.

AOC montage with Gosar and Gaetz. pic.twitter.com/laxwktKpwF

— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) January 3, 2023

They don’t always discuss politics#aoc #118thCongress pic.twitter.com/XkXHGf0C5s

— Bad Lip Reading (@BadLipReading) January 5, 2023

Everything changes once you know what McCarthy and Gaetz were actually saying#118thCongress #KevinMcCarthy #MattGaetz pic.twitter.com/8Yr7LCtioC

— Bad Lip Reading (@BadLipReading) January 8, 2023

For decades, the House Recording Studio has usually maintained control of cameras in the House chamber, similar to how the Senate Recording Studio operates in the Senate, and C-SPAN is given permission to broadcast footage that is captured. Rare exceptions are made for special events, such as the State of the Union and the speaker vote, according to VICE.

C-SPAN announced on Monday, as the House began consideration of a rules package, that government-operated cameras were back and that it returned to broadcasting the feed from the chamber.

NOTE: C-SPAN cameras are no longer in the House chamber. We have resumed using the feed from House/government-operated cameras.

— CSPAN (@cspan) January 9, 2023

But since the speaker vote, members on both sides of the aisle have voiced support for changing how cameras are operated in the chamber.

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) tweeted that C-SPAN’s coverage of the speaker vote “was worthy of an Oscar” and said he planned to introduce legislation to require “House cameras to continue to capture the full Chamber & not just what the Speaker wants.” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) told CNN over the weekend he thought it was a “good thing” to let C-SPAN cameras run free.

Gaetz touted how C-SPAN cameras caught him talking with Democrats in “humanizing” moments that stand in stark contrast to “high-octane moments” often seen during contentious hearings. He specifically cited conversations with Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

WATCH: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee reveals conversation she held with Rep. Gaetz following GOP confrontation of 14th ballot vote. https://t.co/RdYLvfum24 pic.twitter.com/g7HYrEzmyp

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 7, 2023

Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL). #118thCongress pic.twitter.com/eWBV9noSO0

— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) January 6, 2023

“There are there are moments of bipartisanship and collegiality that occur every day,” Gaetz said. “And the country doesn’t get to see those.”

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