Keep Pennsylvania Avenue Closed

The Post's Oct. 8 editorial "The House at Its Worst on D.C." points to the fundamental flaws of the House version of the D.C. appropriations bill. I certainly agree with the position that this year's bill includes an inordinate amount of specious and frivolous provisions. The Post was correct in pointing out the major deficiencies in the bill and in noting that if placed on President Clinton's desk, the legislation surely is headed for a much-deserved veto.

I was, however, disappointed by The Post's glaring omission of one of the more egregious attachments to the legislation -- a provision calling for the reopening of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House. This unwise and hastily inserted provision is strongly opposed by Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin and Director of the Secret Service Lewis Merletti -- and for good reason.

The May 1995 order by Secretary Rubin to close Pennsylvania Avenue was not issued lightly. The bombing of the World Trade Center, the Kobar Towers (where U.S. troops were housed in Saudi Arabia) and Oklahoma City's Murrah Building illustrated the threat to high-profile symbolic sites from explosive attack. The White House may represent the ultimate target to the deranged mentality of a terrorist.

Yet, without a single hearing, without consulting the authorizing committee and without any thoughtful consideration, this bill overrides an administrative order exposing the president, his family, White House employees and visitors to the White House to the risk of a terrorist attack.

The Post is correct in highlighting the "small-minded" nature of the numerous riders on this year's bill. I trust the deletion of the Pennsylvania Avenue issue was not because, in this instance, The Post may support the result.

STENY H. HOYER

U.S. Representative (D-Md.)

Washington

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