I believe in accountability, access, completeness, accuracy and the core values of journalism, and hope for a respectful and truthful relationship with the media, in service of the public. You ask, we respond — that’s how it’s supposed to work, and that’s what happened today.

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In these moments, I look to the gold standard: The NPR Ethics Handbook (www.npr.org/series/68840...).

A nugget:

“To tell the truest story possible, it is essential that we treat those we interview and report on with scrupulous fairness, guided by a spirit of professionalism."

Again, as a former editor and journalist, feels like I have a pretty clear line of sight on reporting standards. Today at AEST, there was no dodging comment. There wasn’t silence. No avoiding. Plenty of on-the-record.

Any suggestion — or action — otherwise is manufactured drama.

There are, however, stories and videos floating around that falsely report he was "silent" today or avoided "comment on the action.”

Umm, please see the video and statement above. Plenty to work with there.

And if you have any follow-up, text me.

After the hearing, we published the statement online. Here you go: speaker.asmdc.org/press-releas....

And we answered Politico's follow-up question: www.politico.com/newsletters/...

This morning, several reporters asked for a statement from Speaker Rivas on bills scheduled to be heard in the AEST committee.

Good news: There was a statement. More than four minutes of perspective and insight on the issue, in fact.

Watch Speaker Rivas’ remarks here: youtu.be/6RpsQTyNtp0?...