Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) headed back to her Buffalo-area district following the news that a commuter airplane with 49 people aboard crashed into a Buffalo neighborhood. Everyone on the Continental flight was killed, as well as one man on the ground.
Slaughter, who chairs the House Rules Committee, was scheduled to manage debate on the rule that clears a final vote for the House-Senate conference bill on the economic stimulus.
Rules Committee ranking member David Dreier (R-Calif.) offered his condolences on the House floor.
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) filled in for Slaughter.