Capitol Hill Buzz: Seating will be limited for papal address
WASHINGTON (AP) — Seats on the floor of the House chamber are not for everybody. But when Pope Francis addresses Congress this fall, they're going to be even harder to get than usual — and this means you, former senators and representatives.
In an unusual move, the House voted Tuesday to limit those allowed into the chamber for that historic Sept. 24 meeting to 11 categories of people. That's six categories fewer than are normally allowed to wander onto the floor during routine House proceedings.
Excluded from the list of those who will automatically be allowed to attend: Former members of Congress and former officers of the House, including former sergeants-at-arms and chaplains.