Moran, Connolly & Wolf Announce Agreement Providing Medical Staff Transportation on Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 14, 2009 – Reps. Jim Moran (D-VA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA) announced today that an agreement was reached between Virginia and D.C. officials and the U.S. Secret Service to provide shuttle bus service to medical personnel scheduled to work at local area hospitals on Inauguration Day.

Congressmen Moran, Connolly and Wolf convened a meeting yesterday with officials from Metro-region hospitals, the U.S. Secret Service, Virginia and D.C. officials to discuss their concerns that area hospitals would be understaffed on Inauguration Day given the bridge closures and road restrictions. The transportation plan recommended medical personnel use bridge crossings in Maryland, an untenable proposition for the 1,000’s of staff living in Northern Virginia given that those will be the only vehicular access points for the general public on Inaugural Day. 

“I appreciate the U.S. Secret Service, Virginia State Police and other agencies willingness to consider revisions to the original transportation plan,” said Moran. “Hospitals are a major component of our emergency response infrastructure and should be treated as such. With Metro expected to be at-capacity, more transportation options for personnel living in Virginia were needed so that they could get to work. With this decision, we better ensure our region’s medical centers are operating at their highest level of readiness on this historic day.”   

"Today's agreement to provide adequate access for essential medical personnel recognizes our focus on the safety and well-being of all who will attend the Inauguration," Connolly said.  “At our meeting yesterday, I again expressed my concern that the bridge closings, while implemented out of necessity, are going to adversely affect the ability of Northern Virginians to participate in the event and conduct their daily commerce on both sides of the Potomac” stated Rep. Gerry Connolly.

“I am pleased that something has been worked out to meet the needs of the region’s hospitals,” Wolf said.  “The changes that have been made should meet their needs while not jeopardizing security or negatively impacting traffic flow.  Everyone involved has gone the extra mile to find a solution, and I am particularly grateful for Congressman Moran for taking the lead on this issue.”        

Bob Malson, President of the D.C. Hospital Association issued the following statement: “The District of Columbia Hospital Association is grateful for Rep. Moran taking the lead on this issue and all the support provided by the area congressional delegation, Secret Service, Virginia State Police and the Governor’s office. We look forward to a great inauguration.”

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