WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives today to criticize the Department of Justice for seizing two months’ worth of phone records from the Associated Press without notice. A transcript of the speech follows this release.
“I'm profoundly concerned over the Department of Justice's overbroad and chilling behavior with respect to the Associated Press,” Himes said. “Seeking records for 20 phone lines, giving the AP no notice, and refusing at this point to discuss their behavior feels to me like overreach.”
Click here for a video of the speech.
AS DELIVERED
“Mister Speaker, it's the fashion amongst many of us to blame the press for our troubles and that's of course because the press reports our troubles. At their best, the media keeps us honest, keeps us in our constitutional lanes, and it reports our failures – it is essential for democracy. There is a reason why freedom of the press is not the Second or Fourth or Tenth Amendment - it's the First Amendment.
“So, Mister Speaker, I'm profoundly concerned over the Department of Justice's overbroad and chilling behavior with respect to the Associated Press. Seeking records for 20 phone lines, giving the AP no notice, refusing at this point to discuss their behavior feels to me like overreach.
“Mister Speaker, it's time for the Department of Justice to stand back. You can imagine that there is somebody out there today who has a failure to report, who is chilled and says ‘I will not do that’ because of the approach of the Department of Justice has taken.
“Mister Speaker, I’m proud to serve in the very core of democracy, but this chamber rests on foundations, and a key part of that foundation is a free and competent press.”