White House Visitor Transparency Memo a Bit Late

Under fire for feting donors inside the White House and even in its bowling alley, the White House is now moving more aggressively to promote its plan announced nearly two months ago to release the names of every visitor. In a memo to Capitol Hill Thursday, the White House alerted lawmakers that even those constituents that got White House tour tickets will see their names in public. Here's that memo, provided to Whispers.

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

MEMORANDUM FOR HILL TOUR COORDINATORS AND CONGRESSIONAL CHIEFS OF STAFF

FROM:             White House Visitors Office

SUBJECT:       Public Disclosure of Visitor Access Records

As you may be aware, on September 4, 2009 President Obama announced the White House would begin releasing visitor access records. In his statement the President said, "For the first time in history, records of White House visitors will be made available to the public on an ongoing basis. We will achieve our goal of making this administration the most open and transparent administration in history not only by opening the doors of the White House to more Americans, but by shining a light on the business conducted inside it."

Part of these disclosure lists will include the names of all visitors touring the White House. We recommend that you inform your constituents that their names will be part of the White House releases. Records will be released 90-120 days after the date of visit. Only the visitors' names and the date of their visit will be released. Social security numbers and dates of birth will, of course, remain private. This policy includes Member and Chief of Staff tours. We offer the following language as a suggestion to be included in the information you send to your constituents:

Dear Guest,

On September 4, 2009 President Obama announced that visitor access records to the White House Complex will be made publicly available 90-120 days after the date of visit. This policy includes all guests touring the White House. Please be aware that your full name and the date of your visit will be part of the publicly released records. Your date of birth, Social Security Number and all other information provided will not be released.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, please contact the Visitors Office at 202-456-2322.