Lee Office Updates White House Tour Request Policy

March 7, 2013

cut redundant agencies before cancelling White House tours

WASHINGTON—In response to President Obama's announcement on March 5 that his White House will be canceling "self-guided" public tours as a result of sequester cuts, Senator Lee's office has updated their tour request policy.  Senator Lee's Utah constituents are still welcome to request a White House tour, but until the president reverses this unfortunate decision, there is no guarantee that constituents will be able to have these requests fulfilled.  

Despite the sequester's cuts to his office budget, Senator Lee has prioritized his budget to continue offering staff-led tours of the U.S. Capitol.  He would also like to recognize the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the National Archives, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for managing their budgets to continue offering tours to the public.  

"The White House is a cherished monument that is part of our national identity and owned by the public," said Senator Lee. "I do not understand why the president would choose to punish school children, tour groups, and other visitors to the nation's capital instead of finding areas of excess and waste in the White House budget."

Utah constituents interested in scheduling Washington, D.C. tours may do so through Senator Lee's website: http://www.lee.senate.gov/index.cfm/tour-requests.

Senator Lee discussed the issue with Larry Kudlow and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) last night on CNBC's The Kudlow Report: