Norton Gets First Congressional Hearing on Causes of Metro Crash on Thursday (9/22/2010)

WASHINGTON, DC -- At the request of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia Subcommittee will hold the first congressional hearing on the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB's) report regarding the 2009 Metrorail collision that claimed nine lives, including seven District residents, and injured dozens of others. The hearing, entitled "Moving Forward After the NTSB Report: Making Metro a Safety Leader," will take place Thursday, September 23, at 2:00 p.m. in 2203 Rayburn House Office Building. Hearing witnesses include: NTSB Chair Deborah A. P. Hersman; Metro Interim General Manager Richard Sarles; Metro Board First Vice Chair Catherine Hudgins; Tri-state Oversight Committee Chair Matthew Bassett; Riders' Advisory Council Chair Francis DeBernardo; and Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 689, Safety Officer and Recording Secretary Anthony W. Garland.

Since the crash, Norton has taken the lead on ensuring Metro updates to its safety processes and culture. The Congresswoman has consistently gotten congressional hearings on the safety and operations of Metro, including the first hearing after the tragedy. Norton's amendment to the NTSB Reauthorization Act of 2010, which passed out of committee earlier this year and is expected to pass the House this week, which clarifies that the NTSB can and should offer interim safety recommendations, even when more extensive and costly measures are also recommended and necessary. Norton is also a cosponsor of the National Metro Safety Act, which would implement and enforce national safety standards for all subway systems. In addition, she named her bill to authorize the D.C. National Guard Tuition Assistance program in honor of Major General David Wherley Jr., the former commander of the D.C. Guard who was killed along with his wife, Ann, in the Metro crash.