Following Unilateral D.C. Street Closures by Secret Service, Norton Calls for Consultation Plan for Future Street Closures

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today made the following statement upon learning of downtown D.C. street closures by the U.S. Secret Service earlier this week.

“I was astonished and distressed to learn of the unusually extensive street closures of major downtown thoroughfares for extended periods of time, over a period of three days. Had the Secret Service consulted with the appropriate city officials, a plan could have been developed that would not have paralyzed the city and region. We are very grown up in this city about the need for closures and protection of highly placed U.S. officials and foreign dignitaries. These inconveniences are accepted by residents as the price of being the nation’s capital. However, D.C. is not a fiefdom to be subjected to the dictatorship of the Secret Service or any other federal agency. We will never be able to calculate the losses in time and money due to these closures. However, we must use this experience to develop a plan for detailed consultation for all street closures except routine motorcades. My staff will meet with the city and Secret Service to ensure a satisfactory plan is developed.”

Norton has long fought for her bill, entitled "United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act," to establish a commission to investigate best practices to achieve the necessary balance between openness and security. She has also called on the National Park Service and the Secret Service to develop a traffic control plan with the pending permanent shutdown of E Street, behind the White House.

Published: March 5, 2014