Matt Gaetz wants C-SPAN’s cameras to CONTINUE recording drama in Congress

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz wants C-SPAN’s cameras rolling in the House of Representatives chamber despite the cable channel showing meltdowns and near-fights during last week’s speaker drama.

Fox News Channel reported Tuesday that Gaetz said he would offer an amendment that would allow C-SPAN to have its own cameras in the House of Representatives chamber since government cameras are locked in position to only record the podium, in the words of the Florida congressman, ‘Boomer-fied.’

C-SPAN was allowed to bring in its own cameras last week because no house rules were adopted without a speaker being elected.

This allowed the network to pan the room at high-stakes moments — like when Gaetz voted “present,” turned down McCarthy’s speaker offer for the 14th time, and Rep. Mike Rogers had to be stopped from physically attacking Gaetz.

C-SPAN’s cameras captured dramatic moments during last week’s speakership battle, including current speaker Kevin McCarthy confronting Rep. Matt Gaetz after the Florida Republican helped weaken McCarthy’s bid on the 14th vote

The cameras also caught Rep. Mike Rogers, who had to be restrained from a physical altercation with Rep. Matt Gaetz. Gaetz said Tuesday the government cameras are “boomer-fied” as they remain in place

“I got a lot of feedback from voters about how interesting it was and that you could see in real time how our government is working, what alliances are being formed, what discussions are being held, what lively moments are driving the action,” Gaetz told Fox. “And the view of the convention pool is antiquated and a little bit boomer,” he said, referring to the baby boomers.

Gaetz’s call came the same day that C-SPAN co-CEO Susan Swain wrote a letter to McCarthy asking that additional cameras be brought into the chamber.

“We are not proposing to replace the existing home recording system or its output,” she wrote. “Instead, we’re asking for some extra cameras to be installed in the chamber of the House of Representatives. Along with the existing house production, footage from our cameras would allow us to create a second journalistic product, just as we did last week.”

She also asked that even if the Republican speaker didn’t want McCarthy to have its own cameras in the chamber for all House proceedings, McCarthy would consider allowing them to “key legislative sessions.”

C-SPAN’s Jeremy Art tweeted what C-SPAN watchers would have seen if the cable channel hadn’t been allowed to bring its own cameras during the speakership drama last week

Rep. Matt Gaetz’s call came the same day that C-SPAN co-CEO Susan Swain wrote a letter to McCarthy asking that additional cameras be brought into the chamber

A copy of the letter was also sent to Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Minority Leader, Democrat Hakeem Jeffries.

Previous similar requests from House Speakers have fallen on deaf ears.

Gaetz, who was one of the 20 right-wing rabble-rousers who nearly cost McCarthy the oratorium, also has allies on the progressive left.

Wisconsin Democratic Representative Mark Pocan, the former chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, wrote a letter obtained from The Hill “dear colleague” saying he would introduce legislation that would allow television cameras to keep the House of Representatives active to pan.

“A feature of the new Congress that made this debate so compelling was the fact that cameras recording the US House of Representatives could broadcast the entire Chamber during the votes and debates, and not just the podium, well, and those to Speeches approved members,” Pocan wrote. “I hope you will agree that opening our deliberations to the full view of the American people is good for democracy and that you will join me in this endeavor.”

In a tweet on MondayIn a preview of the move, Pocan said C-SPAN’s coverage of the 15 speaker voices was “Oscar worthy.”

Beginning with Monday’s results and voting, C-SPAN resumed using the official government feed.