U.S. Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer and Clarence Thomas were surprised today when Texas Representative and transparency advocate John Culberson broadcast their testimony live on his Qik account to make the point that the Court should be more transparent.

Although the Supreme Court occasionally releases audio of oral arguments, Rep. Culberson called for the Court to broadcast video of the arguments as they take place, a move the Court has resisted. The Justices were before the committee to request funding for an improved web site, which last year received over 18 million hits.

The Blog of the Legal Times has more on the Justices’ testimony before the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.