“The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense,” writes Paul Shawcross, chief of the science and space branch of the White House’s budget office. But “the Administration does not support blowing up planets.”

The Assembly rules — which codify previous guidelines posted outside the gallery — say visitors may not use “audio or video devices to record, photograph, film, videotape, or in any way depict the proceedings on or about the Assembly floor.” And Assembly visitors are prohibited from using cellphones or pagers, reading newspapers or other printed materials, eating food or drinking beverages, displaying signs or placards, carrying bags or briefcases, or wearing hats.