111th Congress, 2nd Session
The introduction of televised House proceedings
March 15, 1977
On this date, the House began a three-month closed-circuit testing period of televised House Floor proceedings. Post-Watergate reforms and a new spirit of openness and accountability in government provided television supporters the momentum necessary to ensure the live telecasting of legislative debates. Within a year, the House passed measures to approve and fund the establishment of its own television system—thereby answering the critical question of who would control broadcasts. Almost two years to the day later, on March 19, 1979, public television and the C-SPAN network tapped into the House television system for live broadcasts of the floor proceedings. Since that time, millions of viewers at home and across the globe have tuned in to watch debate in the chamber.
Related Highlight Subjects
Cite this Highlight
Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/highlights.html?action=view&intID=46, (December 03, 2010).For Additional Information
Office of History and Preservation(202) 226-1300
history@mail.house.gov
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For years, television cameras had covered special events in the House Chamber such as State of the Union Addresses and speeches by foreign dignitaries. It was not until the late 1970s, however, that sufficient support existed for live televised coverage of House Floor debate.
Image courtesy of the Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
Teaching Tip
Inventing the Future
Ask students to find three highlight dates pertaining to technology in the House. Have students brainstorm and draft a list of five possible advancements for the House and five for their own daily lives which may occur during the next 20 years.
