Blumenthal Statement After First In Series Of Meetings On Operation Deep Dive

(Hartford, CT) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released the following statement after meeting with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator Joseph Szabo. The meeting was the first in a series of meetings in which Blumenthal will receive updates on Operation Deep Dive, a comprehensive safety assessment of Metro-North commuter railroad.

“I anticipate that Operation Deep Dive will be completed and the report delivered to Congress no later than March 17. Even before then, there must be fundamental and far-reaching reforms to improve safety and reliability at Metro North – with top-to-bottom changes in personnel and practices, beginning with new leadership on February 10, when Joe Giulietti arrives. I look forward to receiving additional progress reports as the investigation progresses.”  

The recent omnibus appropriations bill that was signed into law included language that mandated the report on Operation Deep Dive be delivered to Congress by March 17.