Congressional leaders praise new Capitol Visitor Center

The new Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) will be a “wonderful experience” for tourists according to Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Reid said that because of the CVC, “the people’s temple shines brighter than ever before.”

At the opening ceremony for the CVC today, Reid remarked that he had contemplated overhauling the east side of the Capitol (where the CVC is located underground) since the 1960’s. He said he felt, “we need to do something about this ugly East Front of the Capitol.” He felt that while construction “went very slowly,” the completed CVC is “really terrific.”

Reid also said that before the five-acre CVC, visitors of the Capitol “had to depend on tour guides.” A 13-minute video in the CVC will allow visitors to learn about the history and power of the Capitol.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) stated that “environmentally friendly initiatives” have been added to the CVC. Pelosi added that the creation of the CVC embodies the U.S. ability to “adapt” and will inspire citizens and congressmen alike “to write new chapters in our nation’s history.”

Minority Leader of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) said the CVC will help visitors avoid inclement weather and stay out of long lines. He claimed the CVC acknowledges the “spiritual heritage” of the U.S. Boehner added that the CVC will “begin a new era” in the existence of the Capitol.

Minority Leader of the Senate Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the opening of the CVC was important because the Capitol should be “no less meaningful than the document that established it.” He was very happy with how the CVC turned out, saying it was finished due to “the work of many heads and many hands.”