Sen. Tim Scott said the access of the press on Capitol Hill poses the possibility of threats to the safety and privacy of lawmakers.
"There are a couple of examples where, number one, folks have been at ATM machines and folks who have been using cameras — I want to keep my PIN private," Scott, a South Carolina Republican, told reporters, The Hill reports.
"Number two, if you're tripping over cords if you're walking out, that's a problem."
His comments followed a directive that TV journalists would have to get permission from lawmakers, the Senate Rules Committee, the Senate sergeant-at-arms or the Senate Radio and TV Gallery before interviewing senators on camera. But the rule was dropped after a media outcry.
Scott also praised the press for their tenacity.
"I think there's a safety concern that's in there for the member, as well as the press. But overall, you guys deserve the access necessary to do your job so that the American people are informed," he said.
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