White House cancels tours because of budget cuts; but will it save money?
The White House tour could be the most expensive tour you'll never take. Republicans are crying foul after tours of the White House were canceled this week because of forced spending cuts.
"Capitol workers and tours are going to remain available for all Americans. I think it's disappointing that the Obama Administration didn't follow our lead and find savings in other parts of their budget." House Speaker John Boehner added, "I think it's silly that they've insisted on locking down the White House, which the American people actually own."
The White House says it can save $74,000 a week in Secret Service costs by closing its doors.
OutFront tonight: Former head speechwriter for President Obama, Jon Favreau and Reihan Salam, CNN Contributor and writer for the National Review.
As the disingenuous Mr. Boehner well knows, it is not the White House budget that is in question. It is, rather, the Secret Service budget. The S.S. has to have agents in place any time there are visitors in the White House. That is at once both its most obvious and least necessary expenditure. It endangers no one to cancel the tours. However, other S.S. cutbacks would come at the expense of greater risks to those whom it protects. And the "disappointed" Speaker knows this full well.
Its a joke, they've been closing things on purpose so they can pretend that the republicans "won't cooperate" and everyone has to suffer because of it.
then, behind closed doors, their only proposal is to spend and print even more money, further messing up the country. but hey, it makes them look good, they can keep giving out free stuff for votes. the obama administration is like a ponzi scheme, and guess who's paying the bill? you
Austerity begins at home. The White House is setting an example for the rest of the country. If the Republicans had been anything but the party of "no', it wouldn't have happened. Now they just need to sit down and take their medicine like good little boys and girls...
Why not just cancel his joy ride trips on air force 1? That's where the big bucks go.
$74 grand? Drop in the drop in the drop in the drop in the bucket.
How un-American of Obama....
GOOD !! If the repulicans think they can hold the American people hostage by refusing to come to terms with the President, then let them have a taste of thier own medicine.
Well then let Boehner come up with another way to save $74000 per week.
Republicans are always for spending cuts unless and until it affects them directly. The cuts are ok if it affects some little old lady eating cat food wrapped in blankets because she can't pay her energy bill. They don't mind that because the little old lady is in her home where no one can see her! Who cares if the white house cuts tours! Touring the white house does not help the everyday struggling American put food on the table.