September 18, 2008

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton said yesterday that the decision of Interim U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Taylor to withdraw his nomination for formal designation as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia was appropriate.  She opposed Taylor’s formal nomination because of serious misgivings regarding his hiring of an assistant U.S. Attorney, under pressure from top Department of Justice officials, although the U.S. Attorney had twice been forced to resign from similar posts because of unethical and improper conduct. Eleanor wrote opposing the confirmation because Taylor was unable to assure her that he had taken action to prevent related issues arising from the same person. She did not oppose Taylor remaining as interim U.S. Attorney because there were only fourteen months left in his term. She was particularly concerned about administrative pressure in light of the political considerations that were investigated by the Senate and others.

Congresswoman Norton presents a check to Mayor Fenty for $131,000 for the restoration of historic Eastern Market.

After a fire gutted the historic Eastern Market landmark in 2007 the Congresswoman and Chairman Oberstar identified two sources of funds to assist in its restoration: an earmark and a grant through the EDA.  She secured the earmark of $131,000 last year and the Mayor and his staff met the challenge of writing a credible grant proposal for the EDA.