Tweet
WASHINGTON — A Republican congressman is pushing new legislation that would prohibit the White House from renovating its bowling alley.
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Meehan said he is introducing an amendment to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2015 that would prevent the renovations. The bowling alley is in the Eisenhower Executive Office, the building next door to the White House used by Obama aides.
“Smart budgeting means making choices and setting priorities,” Meehan said. “With our nation $17 trillion in debt, upgrading the President’s private bowling alley shouldn’t be a priority. That anyone at the White House thought it would be a good use of taxpayer funds is disrespectful to all of the hardworking taxpayers that are struggling to make ends meet in a tough economy. Taxpayers expect — and deserve — better.”
The subject line of a press release about the amendment from his office said: “Meehan Calls ‘Over the Line’ on White House Bowling Alley Upgrades.”
Last week, Time reported that the General Services Administration was soliciting bids for the renovation. Shortly after that was made public, the GSA canceled its solicitation.
Before the posting was taken down, the bid said the “objective here is to replace the current, damaged and out dated lanes, approaches, pin setter platform (or pin deck) and gutters with new and modern products.”
All replacement items, according to the bid, needed to meet industry standard specifications set by the United States Bowling Congress.
The language of the amendment from Meehan simply states: “None of the funds made available in this act may be used to modify or rebuild any portion of the White House bowling alley, including using phenolic synthetic material.”
On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Meehan said he is introducing an amendment to the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2015 that would prevent the renovations. The bowling alley is in the Eisenhower Executive Office, the building next door to the White House used by Obama aides.
“Smart budgeting means making choices and setting priorities,” Meehan said. “With our nation $17 trillion in debt, upgrading the President’s private bowling alley shouldn’t be a priority. That anyone at the White House thought it would be a good use of taxpayer funds is disrespectful to all of the hardworking taxpayers that are struggling to make ends meet in a tough economy. Taxpayers expect — and deserve — better.”
The subject line of a press release about the amendment from his office said: “Meehan Calls ‘Over the Line’ on White House Bowling Alley Upgrades.”
Last week, Time reported that the General Services Administration was soliciting bids for the renovation. Shortly after that was made public, the GSA canceled its solicitation.
Before the posting was taken down, the bid said the “objective here is to replace the current, damaged and out dated lanes, approaches, pin setter platform (or pin deck) and gutters with new and modern products.”
All replacement items, according to the bid, needed to meet industry standard specifications set by the United States Bowling Congress.
The language of the amendment from Meehan simply states: “None of the funds made available in this act may be used to modify or rebuild any portion of the White House bowling alley, including using phenolic synthetic material.”