Congress Can’t Shut Down Eleanor Holmes Norton’s Grand Opening

By Warren Rojas

Posted October 1, 2013 at 6:40pm

Lawmakers and staff might be having a rough go of it getting into the Capitol, but the doors of D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton’s new district office were wide open and teeming with people Tuesday evening during a festive welcome event.

“The Republicans can shut down the federal government, but it is my prerogative, under House guidelines, to decide whether to keep all employees working, and I have decided that our business of serving D.C. residents cannot stop,” she announced in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CongresswomanNorton/posts/10151631569400658" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">social-media blast</a> heralding the open house for her office at 90 K St. NE. An aide to the Democrat told HOH that the office has actually been in operation since April, replacing the now-shuttered space the local pol gave up in the National Press Building. Well-wishers were still waiting for Norton to arrive when we visited Tuesday evening — she was actually on the House floor giving the GOP an earful about the budget impasse at that very moment — but appeared to be making do with the tasty nibbles (assorted sandwiches, cheese and fruit plates, gourmet cookies) and NoMa Business Improvement District swag bags provided for the event. The office is expected to function 9-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, regardless of what Congress is up to. </body>