There were specific guidelines for both the media and public to attend the confirmation hearings of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Media Guidelines For The Nomination Hearing
Of Sonia Sotomayor,
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 Sonia Sotomayor

WHEN:  Week of July 13, 2009

WHERE:  Hart Senate Office Building, 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 202-224-7703 (Majority) or 202-224-5225 (Minority) or visit our website at:  http://www.judiciary.senate.gov

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 with picture identification.

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.

Pooled video coverage for the hearing has been mandated by the Radio-Television Gallery.  In order to obtain access to the pool feed, Members of the Media should contact the Radio-Television 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 will 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.  No food or drink is allowed in the hearing room.

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

The Senate 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 contact their respective Gallery.  The filing center will have desk space, televisions, and phones available for use.    

The filing center is located in Hart SH30 (Hart 216 hearing room, upper level)

The filing centers will become operational on July 13 at 9:00 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 center that is provided. 

The hearings will be webcast LIVE online on the Senate Judiciary Committee website, and on closed circuit televisions in the Senate Press and Media Galleries.

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.

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.  All member and witness statements will be made available online on the Senate Judiciary Committee website.

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 in the foyer outside of the hearing room for any organization or group wishing to distribute materials at the hearing.

Guidelines For Public Attendance At The Nomination Hearing
Of Sonia Sotomayor
To Be An Associate Justice
Of The Supreme Court Of The United States

At all times, those standing in line shall abide by the rules established by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Due to limited space in the hearing room, admittance to the hearings is only for a limited period of time in order to allow more members of the public access to the hearings.

Passes to hearings will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Passes do not guarantee admission into the hearing and are only valid for the day in which the pass is issued.

Distribution of the passes will begin at 8:00 A.M. on each day of the hearings at the following location:

• On Monday, July 13, 2009, continuing through the conclusion of the hearings: The line for admission into the hearing will start at the NW Corner of First Street and C Street NE.

Individuals who have received a pass will be ushered into the hearing room by Judiciary Committee staff at different intervals throughout the day. Once a pass is obtained, pass holders will be advised to return to the hearing lines (see map above) at least 1 hour before the estimated time of entry to the hearing room.

No picketing or demonstrating will be allowed by individuals standing in line. At any time authorized staff can request the removal of any person from the line for failure to adhere to established rules or other security/safety related reasons.

Once persons holding passes have been cleared by security, they must remain with the group at all times. Failure to follow this guideline will result in individuals not being admitted into the hearing room.

Persons who received a pass and were not admitted to the hearing on the day in which the pass was issued will not receive special accommodations for the next day of hearings. Individuals wishing to wait in line for the following day's hearing may do so ONLY after the current day's hearing has concluded. 

The following items are prohibited for those attending the hearing:

Firearms; weapons of any kind; ammunition (either real or simulated); explosives of any kind (including fireworks); knives; blades; razors; box cutters; or other sharp objects (of any length); any pointed object (i.e. knitting needles, letter openers, etc.); aerosol sprays; cans and bottles; coolers; thermal or glass containers; mace; pepper spray; sticks, poles; pocket or hand tools (such as a Leatherman); packages; backpacks; large bags; duffel bags; camera bags; suitcases; laser pointers; strollers; chairs; umbrellas; food or beverages of any kind; posters, signs or placards larger than  8.5 inches by 11 inches (must be held directly in front of the body and no higher than the shoulders); signage or clothing with profanity or images deemed inappropriate by security screeners; and any other items at the discretion of the security screeners that may pose a potential safety hazard.

Photography, of any kind, is strictly prohibited in the hearing room, except for authorized staff.

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