Congress Reacts To Metro Crash

By Justin Duckham-Talk Radio News Service

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) addressed Monday’s fatal Washington Metrorail collision, saying that he and other representatives from Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. will meet with the appropriate officials to determine what can be done to prevent future accidents.

The Majority Leader was reluctant to attribute the crash to a lack of funding.

“I want to wait before jumping to a conclusion that this was a lack of money. We don’t know yet whether this was a human error, computer error [or] equipment error,” said Hoyer during a pen and pad session with reporters Tuesday. Wednesday, the Majority Leader announced that he and other legislators will attempt to secure an additional $3 billion for Metrorail.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) requested to have the accident brought to the attention of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. According to a statement released by Norton earlier this week, a series of hearings will be held after the 4th of July recess.