THE HILL — The House on Wednesday adopted a proposal to prohibit funding to renovate the White House bowling alley.
Rep. Pat Meehan’s (R-Pa.) amendment to the fiscal 2015 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill, which includes funding for the General Services Administration, passed by voice vote. Democrats had initially demanded a roll call vote on the amendment but later withdrew their request.
Meehan argued that funding for the bowling alley in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building constituted a “want,” not a “need.” He used ice cream as an analogy during House floor debate.
“A good example is calcium. You know, calcium is necessary for survival, but ice cream, on the other hand, is a want. Everyone needs calcium, but plenty of people would do just fine without ice cream,” Meehan said.
Meehan said his amendment would similarly establish priorities.
“With our nation $17 trillion in debt, upgrading the president’s private bowling alley shouldn’t be a priority,” Meehan said. “A spiffy new bowling alley may suit the wants for commander in chief, but I think I speak for the taxpayers of the seventh congressional district when I assert that it is certainly not a need.”
Read more at The Hill.
