Norton Primed for Congressional Hearing Wednesday as Four Coronavirus Cases Hit D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, said today that at the Committee's hearing tomorrow, she will probe administration officials on the four cases of coronavirus in the District of Columbia, which could also dislocate Members of Congress, who spend more time in the District than in their home states.

The hearing will occur four days after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the District. On March 6, 2020, the President signed the emergency coronavirus supplemental spending bill into law, providing $8.3 billion to respond to the coronavirus.

"Our Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on Wednesday will be the first opportunity administration officials have had to offer official answers under oath concerning the coronavirus response since the first case was identified in D.C.," Norton said. "The hearing will allow us to sort out the confusing and inconsistent information from the Trump administration on prevention, testing, containment and mitigation. The District is a tourist mecca, the second highest source of revenue for D.C. As we approach events like the annual Cherry Blossom festival, can we ensure safety for D.C. residents and visitors alike?"

Congresswoman Norton is a cosponsor of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. Congress passed legislation, which was signed into law on December 20, 2019, that includes 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers. She is also a cosponsor of a bill, introduced by Representative Rosa Delauro, that would expand paid sick leave requirements to cover employers with one or more employees for 14 days of sick leave during public health emergencies.