Norton demands answers to CVC woes

Washington, D.C.’s, delegate is demanding answers to recent security and worker mistreatment claims raised by the staff of the Capitol Visitor Center.
 
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) sent a letter to Architect of the Capitol Stephen Ayers on Tuesday evening, inquiring about safety and security concerns at the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) as first reported by The Hill.
 
{mosads}Norton, who is the chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee’s economic development, public buildings and emergency management subcommittee, asked Ayers to detail the CVC’s policies for training staff to deal with suspicious packages.
 
“What, if anything, is being done to ensure that all CVC employees receive the necessary training to handle potentially dangerous substances or suspicious packages?” Norton asked in the letter. “If such training has not been implemented, is there a timeline for implementation?”
 
The Hill first reported in June that, authorities allege, a CVC supervisor flushed a bag filled with white powder labeled “anthrax” down a public toilet without notifying Capitol Police.
 
Then, in July, The Hill reported that CVC employees were concerned emergency procedures were not being followed when they called their supervisors on their radios for assistance. In one instance, an intern fell ill while on a tour of the Capitol Dome, and after numerous calls for assistance, none of the CVC staffers superiors replied. In another instance, a child sustained a head injury while on a tour and multiple radio calls for help went unreturned.
 
“Which CVC managers monitor the CVC employees’ emergency radios?” Norton asked Ayers in her letter. “Are they in a position to monitor emergency communications effectively? Are they allowed and prepared to communicate an emergency to the attending physician, to the Capitol police or to other CVC staff?
 
“What steps are currently being taken or will be taken to ensure that emergency situations in the CVC are immediately addressed?”
 
Norton also asked Ayers whether the uniforms CVC staff members are required to wear are suitable to the temperate conditions to which they are assigned.
 
“Are CVC employees issued weather-appropriate uniforms? Recently, I was informed that CVC employees are required to wear their wool pants in the summer months, and that they are not given cold weather gear in the winter months. If true, when will you issue weather-appropriate uniforms?”
 
Norton raised additional concerns about whether CVC employees are given access to enough water while working and whether staff are provided with opportunities to repay their student loans.