Cantor, Pelosi Spar over how to Pay for National Cathedral Repairs

Washington National Cathedral officials announced today that they plan to reopen the cathedral on Nov. 12, but that short-term repairs and continuing cathedral operations through the end of 2012 would cost $25 million.

Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi immediately called dueling press conferences.

At her conference, Pelosi stated that repairs of the National Cathedral should be paid for by raising the so-called “sin taxes.”

At his press conference, Cantor adamantly insisted that the expenditure of any federal funds for Cathedral repairs must be offset by cuts in other spending, such as U.S. contributions to programs like International Disaster Aid Assistance, the Global Health and Child Survival and Migration and Refugee Assistance.

When reporters pointed out that the Cathedral was built and is operated solely with the support of private donations and that it receives no support from the federal government, Pelosi—obviously disappointed—said, “Well, I guess I’ll have to auction my collection of Ghirardelli chocolates to help pay for it.” Cantor, on the other hand, obviously relieved said, “Well, one less shovel-ready project for Obama to harp about.”

CODA: S-a-t-i-r-e (Just in case…)