(FamilyConservationPAC.com) – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) blasted House Democrats and Republicans for failing to hold a hearing on last month’s tragic train crash in East Palestine, OH.
She called the location a “possible crime scene” and called for an investigation to be conducted immediately.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee grilled the CEO of Norfolk Southern Railway on Thursday during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing.
“This committee has to convene a hearing on the derailment in East Palestine,” the New York Democrat said. “It’s not only a catastrophic scene here. That might be a crime scene.”
READ: Trump Sends East Palestine Shipments of Water After Train Derailment
The federal administration is still dealing with the derailment of a train carrying dangerous chemicals in East Palestine, which caused an environmental and public health catastrophe.
Ocasio-Cortez said that Norfolk Southern shouldn’t be permitted to directly participate in the cleanup operations.
“We don’t allow anyone to go back to the crime scene,” she stated. And we have been allowing that to happen for about a month now, potentially.”
Pennsylvania has stated that it is considering filing criminal charges in the Ohio crash. However, federal investigators have investigated the company’s safety practices and culture.
Ocasio-Cortez requested a hearing on the incident amid an investigation into the Office of Personnel Management by the Oversight panel as part of the GOP’s pledge to hold the Biden administration accountable under their new majority in the House.
Although locals in East Palestine have reported experiencing headaches and respiratory problems, federal and state officials have stated that the air quality is safe.
James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the oversight committee, was urged by Ocasio-Cortez to promptly schedule a hearing on the event.
Ocasio-Cortez remarked that this could not turn into a political brawl.
She said,
“people are getting sick, and the evidence is vanishing. That isn’t even partisan because, in my opinion, neither party is doing enough to meet people’s needs right now.”
This week the Oversight Committee held 8 hearings — none of which addressed the derailment in East Palestine. Meanwhile, people from East Palestine are roaming the halls of Congress trying to find any Member to hear their concerns. Oversight needs to hold a hearing on this issue. pic.twitter.com/3CsqaTQmtZ
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) March 9, 2023
Although rare, AOC has a point. Time is running out for the people of East Palestine.
As time passes, people are struggling with health issues, and it’s time our appointed members of Congress do something about it and hold those responsible accountable.
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