White House Will Expand Tours

September 3, 2003

White House Will Expand Tours
Starting Sept. 16, the White House will once again be open to tours by anyone who can arrange them through a member of Congress and can clear security measures.

Currently, White House tours are limited to school and youth groups, U.S. military members and veterans groups, according to CNN.com. The limits were put into place as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001 events. Beginning Sept. 16, "all parties" can get a tour, provided they complete "required security procedures" and secure the visit through a lawmaker, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

Secret Service spokesman John Gill said that visitors will be required to submit names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth to the agency for clearance. They will also have to pass through metal detectors, and X-ray machines will help officers search bags.

For more, go to cnn.com.