The White House announced new security procedures on Wednesday to be followed by staff at social events.
A review of measures was prompted after a major security breach last week in which two uninvited guests gained clearance to a State Dinner held in honor of the Prime Minister of India.
Going forward, White House staff will be physically stationed at Secret Service checkpoints, Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina said in a memo. Those staffers will check guests names off a list while Secret Service makes sure everyone is properly cleared before entry.
The night of the breach, White House staff was not at each checkpoint, but rather walking back and forth outside between stations.
“It is clear that the White House did not do everything we could have done to assist the United States Secret Service in ensuring that only invited guests enter the complex,” Messina said.
Tareq and Michaele Salahi have insisted they were invited to attend.
It was unclear whether the Salahis would testify before a Congressional committee investigating the breach. Their attorney met with the House Homeland Security Committee staff on Wednesday.
“We need to hear from anybody and everybody,” Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) said.
Over 50,000 visitors will come to the White House during the holiday season, many of whom will attend parties hosted by the Obamas. They will all be subjected to the new security procedures.