Rep. Hank Johnson chairs hearing on Federal Courts & COVID

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) chaired his Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet’s hearing on the Federal Courts During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Best Practices, Opportunities for Innovation, and Lessons for the Future.

The hearing examined how the federal courts have responded to the historic disruption caused by the coronavirus and the steps they are taking to make sure that access to justice continues to operate as safely and smoothly as possible under these circumstances.

The Subcommittee also considered the novel ways that courts have used technology to allow some court proceedings to continue in virtual form, and how courts are using technology to ensure that the public’s right of access to court proceedings is respected — such as the Supreme Court’s first-ever livestreaming of oral arguments.

Chairman Johnson and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle explored what other procedures, practices, and technological efforts the federal courts should employ throughout the pandemic, during normal operations, and in future emergencies.

Read Chairman Johnson’s opening statement HERE | To watch the entire hearing, click HERE.