Republicans in Congress have opened an investigation into Pete Buttigieg’s response to the train derailment in Ohio and are demanding to know why he ‘ignored’ the disaster for over a week.
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has written to the embattled Transportation Secretary, asking for an explanation for his alleged ‘apathy’ towards East Palestine.
It took Buttigieg 10 days to address the incident that prompted toxic chemicals being released into the air and 20 days to visit the community.
Some Republicans have called for his resignation, while he blamed the Trump administration and rail companies for underming safety.
The White House has defended its response, and said attacks on Buttigieg have been in ‘bad faith’.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE LETTER
Republicans in Congress have opened an investigation into Pete Buttigieg’s response to the train derailment in Ohio and are demanding to know why he ‘ignored’ the disaster for over a week
He has also had two run-ins with reporters this week who questioned him about the derailment – one in the street near his Washington D.C. home and another in East Palestine when he toured the site on Thursday.
Despite the backlash, Buttigieg told reporters in Ohio that he is ‘proud’ of how the federal government has handled the situation – and critics are trying to take a ‘political advantage’ of the situation.
‘This incident is an environmental and public health emergency that now threatens Americans across state lines,’ the letter to Buttigieg signed by 21 Republicans states.
‘Despite the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) responsibility to ensure safe and reliable transport in the United States, you ignored the catastrophe for over a week,’ it continues.
‘The American people deserve answers as to what caused the derailment, and DOT needs to provide an explanation for its leadership’s apathy in the face of this emergency.
‘We request documents and information regarding DOT’s response to the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment and ensuing environmental and public health emergency.’
Republicans claim America is now facing one of it’s ‘largest transportation failures’, even though, Biden’s Infrastructure Bill has included billions of dollars to revamp railways.
The White House has defended its response, and said attacks on Buttigieg have been in ‘bad faith’. He is pictured touring the site of the train derailment in East Palestine on Thursday
In an interview last Thursday, Buttigieg admitted that there are ‘roughly 1,0000’ train derailments every year across the country.
Results of a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary investigation released Thursday did not give a concrete cause of the derailment.
But initial findings suggest one of the Norfolk Southern freight train’s wheels may have overheated and caught fire.
Republicans on the Oversight Committee say the ‘infrastructure failure that caused the derailment has led to an environmental disaster’.
‘After the derailment, crews held a controlled release and burn of the toxic chemicals—including the explosive and carcinogenic vinyl chloride —carried in the railcars.’ the letter reads.
‘The controlled burn created a massive smoke plume above East Palestine for several hours.
‘Alarmingly, some of these chemicals may still be present in the area, with residents reporting dead animals, strong odors, burning sensations, rashes, and watery eyes
‘One hazardous materials specialist explained, “We basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open.”
The letter finishes by saying: ‘The Committee is deeply concerned by DOT’s slow pace in resolving this matter’
Then it lists five requests asking for a multitude of documents related to the public response to the train derailment, when Buttigieg learned about the derailment and the progress of the NTSB investigation.
DailyMail.com has contacted the Department of Transportation for comment.
Results of a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary investigation released Thursday did not give a concrete cause of the derailment. But initial findings suggest one of the Norfolk Southern freight train’s wheels may have overheated and caught fire
