Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) on Wednesday appeared to subtly call out what was likely the behavior of Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) as another long day of confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson stretched on.
Speaking on the issue of allowing cameras in the Supreme Court (which Sasse believes should be decided by the nine justices, not Congress), the lawmaker said that, although he understands where his colleagues in support of the added transparency are coming from, "a huge part of why this institution doesn't work well is because we have cameras everywhere."
"Cameras change human behavior," Sasse continued. "I think we should recognize that the jackassery we often see around here is partly because of people mugging for short-term camera opportunities."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Notably, Sasse's remarks arrived not long after Cruz grew incensed during his turn questioning Jackson, leading some online to suggest the Nebraska lawmaker was actually talking about his Texas colleague. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Graham have been particularly aggressive during the hearings, as well.
"It is definitely a second and third and fourth order effect that the court should think through before it has advocates in there who are not only trying to persuade you nine justices," Sasse continued, on the issue of cameras, "but also trying to get on cable that night or create a viral video."
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) later called out Cruz directly, saying, "I know the junior senator from Texas likes to get on television. But most of us have been here a long time trying to follow the rules."
That said, though Sasse's remarks did foster some goodwill, not everyone was impressed.
-
Critics' choice: Outstanding new Japanese restaurantsFeature An all-women sushi team, a 15-seat listening bar, and more
-
Why do Dana White and Donald Trump keep pushing for a White House UFC match?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The president and the sports mogul each have their own reasons for wanting a White House spectacle
-
'Quiet vacationing': a secret revolt against workplace cultureThe explainer You can be in two places at once
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summitSpeed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
US, China extend trade war truce for 90 daysSpeed Read The triple-digit tariff threat is postponed for another three months
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summitSpeed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Israeli security cabinet OKs Gaza City takeoverSpeed Read Netanyahu approved a proposal for Israeli Defense Forces to take over the largest population center in the Gaza Strip
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire in border fightSpeed Read At least 38 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced in the recent violence
-
Israel 'pauses' Gaza military activity as aid outcry growsSpeed Read The World Health Organization said malnutrition has reached 'alarming levels' in Gaza
-
US and EU reach trade dealSpeed Read Trump's meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen resulted in a tariff agreement that will avert a transatlantic trade war
