Today, Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-1), penned the following letter to his constituents in Arkansas’s First Congressional District in response to an announcement from the White House canceling all public tours:

Dear Friends,

The White House announced this week that White House tours are being canceled effective Saturday, March 9, 2013 until further notice due to staffing reductions resulting from sequestration.

Sequestration, as you may know, is the term for the mandatory federal budget cuts that went into effect March 1 under the terms of a bipartisan budget law enacted in 2011. Under sequestration, federal agencies and offices are required to find ways to reduce unnecessary spending within their budgets, and to do more with less, as many American families are being forced to do in the current economy.

It’s disappointing the White House has chosen to comply with sequestration by cutting public tours. In First Lady Michelle Obama’s own words:

“This is really what the White House is all about. It’s the ‘People’s House.’ It’s a place that is steeped in history, but it’s also a place where everyone should feel welcome. And that’s why my husband and I have made it our mission to open up the house to as many people as we can.”

I’m pleased to assure you that public tours of the United States Capitol will continue. I encourage you and your family to visit the U.S. Capitol during your trip to Washington, D.C. If you haven’t already made arrangements through my office for a Capitol tour, I encourage you to do so. Simply contact Dana Esposito in my congressional office at 202-225-4076 or email her at dana.esposito@mail.house.gov.

Sincerely,

Rick Crawford

MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Congressman Rick Crawford represents Arkansas’s First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Crawford serves on the Agriculture Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. On the Agriculture Committee, Crawford is Chairman of the Livestock, Rural Development and Credit Subcommittee. Congressman Crawford and his wife Stacy live in Jonesboro with their two children.

Today, Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-1), penned the following letter to his constituents in Arkansas’s First Congressional District in response to an announcement from the White House canceling all public tours: