FOX News reported Tuesday that C-SPAN has been requesting access to broadcast the final negotiations of the health care bill. In a letter to leaders in the House and Senate, C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb asked for access to “all important negotiations, including any conference committee meetings,” through televised coverage on his network.

The request has fallen on deaf ears in both the House and the Senate. In fact, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the openness of the process!

"There has never been a more open process for any legislation," The Hill reported Pelosi saying at a press conference yesterday.

Leaders in Congress are keenly aware that the final negotiations will require more controversial giveaways at the expense of taxpayers. The Washington Times noted yesterday morning that “not only will Congress refuse to televise the usual Conference Committee to reconcile the two chambers' versions of the bill, but it won't allow a formal conference at all. Instead, a chosen few negotiators will concoct the final version out of sight, without formal rules governing the process and without a single Republican at the table.”

The real issue behind the C-SPAN controversy is the hypocrisy of the very leaders in Congress and the Administration who have pledged greater transparency. In an e-mail Tuesday to activists for the DNC’s Organizing for America, David Plouffe pledges that “we'll fight to improve transparency in Washington to elevate the voices of the American people.”

Let Congress know how important transparency is to you. Visit www.letthecamerasin.com to sign the petition today and demand transparency and an end to the secret meetings and back room deals. Let the cameras in!