Tourists hoping to get a look at the Capitol Friday morning were disappointed when Capitol Police announced that they had run out of tickets.
Despite Congressional promises to keep the “people’s house” open, tours of the Capitol are restricted to those who can get tickets. The tickets are given out first come, first served.
Officials told visitors Friday that the tickets ran out earlier this week and that the rationing was a security measure for the tourists’ own good.
That was cold comfort to many.
“I’m keenly disappointed,” said David L. Nich, 68, a retired hospital auditor from Springfield, Neb.
This was Nich’s first visit to the Capitol.
“It’s a holiday weekend,” he said. “They should really understand that people are going to be here.”
Not everyone was put out by the rejection. Nich’s grandchildren — Leo, 3, and Zelda, 1 — frolicked on the Capitol steps, singing “I’m Just a Bill” — a song from a children’s cartoon about how laws are made.
