Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – After a long contracting delay in the midst of construction, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that the resumption of construction on the levee at 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW has become increasingly urgent because of unprecedented storms in the east, such as Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON, DC –Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will sponsor a forum to help residents learn how to use the new D.C. health care exchange, D.C. Health Link, as her Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, on Tuesday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m., at the Carlos Rosario Educational Center (1100 Harvard St. NW). A panel of experts will offer a common-sense explanation about how to get affordable health insurance using the new exchange.

WASHINGTON, DC – With the District of Columbia government left by the federal government shutdown to depend exclusively upon its previously appropriated contingency reserve fund, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) went to the House floor again today to leave no doubt about the urgency of passing legislation to permit the District to spend its local funds during the federal government shutdown. Norton was able to get the bill passed by a voice vote by persuading Democratic members that a recorded vote would only split the Democratic strategy of lining solidly up against piecemeal bills, instead of a clean continuing resolution.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) spoke at a press conference today to call attention to the effects of the Republican government shutdown on federal employees. Other speakers included Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), other members of the regional delegation, National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley, American Federation of Government Employees President J. David Cox and federal workers.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that despite the federal government shutdown, her office is open for business and the open house of her new District Office, planned by the NoMa Business Improvement District (NoMa BID), will take place as planned today, October 1, at 90 K St. NE, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All District residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) yesterday took preemptive steps to deem her entire staff "essential" during the federal government shutdown, which began today, October 1. Norton took the same action prior to the near-shutdown of April 2011, and her action is consistent with the guidelines provided by the Committee on House Administration, which leave all staffing decisions entirely to the discretion of each member of Congress.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) understands fully Mayor Vincent Gray’s decision to keep the District of Columbia government open in the event of a federal government shutdown by using the city’s already congressionally appropriated contingency reserve fund, but said it is essential to keep pressing for legislation to free the city from repeated shutdown threats and reliance on contingency reserves, which would be quickly exhausted.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today made the following statement on the passing of Evelyn Lowery, the wife of civil rights leader Reverend Joseph Lowery, and the founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Women, Inc. and the annual Drum Major of Justice Awards.