As critics pounce on the White House for closing their doors to tourists because of the automatic spending cuts that went into effect this month, a Fox News anchor is offering his own solution that will certainly create some buzz.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, anchor Eric Bolling announced that he will offer to personally pay the costs to keep the tours at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue open for a week.
During Thursday evening’s episode of “The Five,” Bolling elaborated. “I will absolutely write the check if they open the doors next week.”
“I’ll make you a deal Mr. President…Let these families take their White House tours next week and I’ll cover the added expenses. Word is it will cost around $74,000.”
Referencing White House press secretary Jay Carney, the Fox host added: “Mr Carney, you know this an offer you can’t refuse. Give me a call.”
Bolling’s offer comes as critics accuse the Obama administration of shutting down the tours not out of necessity, but in order to portray the cuts as more severe to average Americans than they really are.
It’s not known exactly how much it would cost Bolling to do this. ABC News estimates that the White House is saving about $18,000 a week. Politico reported that it costs the the Secret Service about $74,000 a week to staff the tours.
The White House first announced the cancellation of the tours this week after the automatic cuts to federal agencies – known as the sequester – went into effect March 1.
“Due to staffing reductions resulting from sequestration we regret to inform that White House tours will be canceled effective Saturday March 9, 2013 until further notice,” the White House said this week. “Unfortunately we will not be able to reschedule affected tours.”
UPDATE:
After publication of this story, Fox News host Sean Hannity tweeted, “great idea! Count me in, I will pay for a week also!”