In November 1953 G. David Schine, a young member of Senator Joseph McCarthy's staff, was drafted into the US Army. McCarthy's chief counsel, Roy M. Cohn, began an improper campaign to get Schine special privileges while he served in the army. Army officials kept records of Cohn's activities and issued a report on March 11, 1954. McCarthy responded with allegations that the US Army was holding Schine "hostage" to deter McCarthy's committee from exposing communists serving in the army. To make clear the accusations, a senate committee convened to investigate. It was the first nationally televised congressional hearing.