Sequester Cuts: GOP Rep. Proposes Amendment Banning Obama From Golf Until White House Tours Resume

By Ashley Portero | March 06 2013 10:58 AM

There's one consequence of the sequestration cuts that apparently struck a nerve with Republicans: the cancellation of public White House tours.

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U.S. President Barack Obama (C) plays golf on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts August 23, 2011. With Obama are Eric Whitaker (L) and Marvin Nicholson (R).

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At least, it did for Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas. Shortly after the Obama administration announced the news on Tuesday, the congressman introduced an amendment to a continuing resolution on the federal budget that aims to block President Barack Obama from enjoying one his favorite pastimes -- golf.

“None of the funds made available by a division of this Act may be used to transport the President to or from a golf course until public tours of the White House resume,” reads the amendment.

Gohmert’s proposal hasn't received a vote in the House.

Several of the president’s Republican critics have criticized his passion for the sport, sometimes accusing him of neglecting pressing national business to indulge his whim.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich echoed Gohmert’s criticism on Tuesday, tweeting, “Canceling White House tours is childish and dishonest – the golf weekend in Florida cost enough to keep the White House open for months.”

Gingrich was referring to a recent trip Obama took to Florida to play a round of golf with Tiger Woods.

As a result of the $85 billion worth of automatic budget cuts, the Secret Service has had to reassign agents who normally monitor tours conducted through the White House Visitor Center.

In a statement, the agency said "this staffing measure will reduce overtime costs overall and may ultimately reduce the number of potential furloughs necessary by our agency."