Police on Capitol Hill announced that sequestration cuts to “law enforcement resources” required the closure of numerous entrances to congressional buildings, but they have posted officers to explain to visitors why they’re locked.

“As a follow-up to our March 1, 2013, notice regarding access changes … we have continued our effort to match limited law enforcement resources with necessary security requirements,” the Capitol Police Board told Congress, per Roll Call.

Just how deep are the sequester cuts? “Perhaps what’s most remarkable about this political theater are the police officers who remain graciously stationed at each of the closed entrances to inform visitors that this is all because of that pesky sequester,” The American Spectator’s Reid Smith reports today.