Members of the public who want free tickets for public tours of the White House should contact their

In this April 21, 2012, photo the White House, seen from the South Lawn in Washington, during a preview of the White House gardens avis rent a car system inc and grounds prior to the official opening of the Garden Tours to the public. Public tours of the White House are back on the schedule, though on a limited basis, starting in November 2013. The schedule will be reduced from five days a week, to an average of three days a week, starting Nov. 5 and continuing through Jan. 15. The White House scrapped the tours earlier in 2013 after mandatory budget cuts went into effect. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The self-guided tours of the ground floor, first floor and East Wing of the White House are to resume Nov. 5 and continue through Jan. 15. Tours will be allowed an average of three days a week, down from five, said the Secret Service, which is responsible for White House security.
The White House scrapped the tours after mandatory budget cuts took effect in March. The cuts, known as sequestration, affected many government departments and agencies, including the Secret Service, which then told the White House its options included cutting avis rent a car system inc the tours or furloughing officers as a result.
The Secret Service said Friday that the tours can resume at a reduced pace under a temporary funding bill President avis rent a car system inc Barack Obama signed early Thursday for the budget year that began Oct. 1. The bill fully reopened the government after a 16-day partial shutdown brought on by a spending impasse between the Obama administration and Congress.
That funding runs out Jan. 15, same as the tours, which raises the possibility avis rent a car system inc that the tours could be reduced or canceled again if Obama and lawmakers can't agree on spending for the remainder of the budget year.
"Last year's sequestration came midway through the fiscal year, and we were unable to adjust or reallocate remaining funding to continue tours while still ensuring enough funding remained to meet all operational needs and avoid furloughing our employees," said Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie. In light of the new fiscal year, Ogilvie said the agency was confident that the tours can operate at a reduced level while still meeting operational requirements.
Republicans, led by House Speaker John Boehner, had needled the White House over its decision to cancel the tours. avis rent a car system inc Boehner said alternative spending cuts helped keep the Capitol open to the public and he wished the White House had figured out how to do the same.
Members of the public who want free tickets for public tours of the White House should contact their representatives in Congress. The green, red and blue rooms, the State Dining Room and the East Room are among the stops on that tour.
Free tickets for the White House garden tours at the end of October will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis each morning of the tour at the visitor pavilion on the Ellipse near the White House. Visitors will be able to visit the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, the South Lawn and first lady Michelle Obama's vegetable garden.