Michael Vadon
By canceling his trip to Memphis, the vice-president has avoided witnessing a potential Butler loss and at least one planned protest.
Vice Presidents Mike Pence, who was scheduled to attend NCAA South Regional games at the FedEx Forum has cancelled his trip to Memphis.
Pence’s office confirmed today that the vice president is canceling his trip to Memphis and Little Rock, Arkansas so he can stay in Washington as the GOP-controlled House prepares to vote later today on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.
Pence has a connection to Butler University, where is his wife attended. Butler is one of four teams playing at the FedExForum this weekend in hopes to land a spot in the Elite Eight.
At least one civic action was planned to protest the vice president’s presence in the Bluff City, but was cancelled following the announcement that Pence would not be in the Bluff City, after all.
Downtown Memphis will still be heavily packed with tournament goers and the accompanied police presence for large events.
Additionally, the Memphis Area Transit Authority has boosted service for the downtown area to accommodate anticipated foot and auto traffic congestion.
