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Rep. Moran: Secret Service Is Insane

Congressmen object to inauguration bridge closings

Friday, Jan 9, 2009 | Updated 7:40 PM EDT

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Two members of Congress are asking the Secret Service to reconsider the plan to close all bridges crossing the Potomac River between northern Virginia and Washington on Inauguration Day.

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Congressmen Object to Inauguration Bridge Closings

Some area leaders are criticizing inauguration security plans they consider to be too much.

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WASHINGTON -- Two members of Congress are asking the Secret Service to reconsider the plan to close all bridges crossing the Potomac River between northern Virginia and Washington on Inauguration Day.

Reps. Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly, who represent northern Virginia, say medical personnel and hospitality workers who are scheduled to work the day President-elect Barack Obama takes office should be able to use the bridges.

"The secret service, they're insane," Moran told the Washington Post. "This is security on steroids. They are imposing major obstacles on people who have a right to be there for the inauguration."

On Friday, Moran said "common sense" should be guiding the region's transportation policies, rather than "fear." He also said having only two bridges open to pedestrians is unacceptable.

The Secret Service announced the bridge closings Wednesday. In addition, about 3.5 square miles of downtown Washington will be closed to traffic starting the day before the inauguration.

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said she is concerned about the traffic plan.