Word on the Hill

By Alex Gangitano

Posted September 6, 2016 at 5:00am

Welcome back and a belated Happy Labor Day.

As airports are full of members returning to Washington from the August recess, staffers are stuck on the “Safe Tracking” Metro. But good news — if you’re stuck at one of six Metro stations, you can track how late you are thanks to free Wi-Fi.

While you were away, the Capitol Dome’s scaffolding is down but we’re still talking about a continuing resolution.

How was your commute?

Washington is back and that means we can all say goodbye to the calmer recess commutes. The transition from August to September is already one of the most predictable times for traffic delays in D.C., according to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, on top of planned Metro work.

The Metro’s Yellow and Blue lines will experience single-tracking and weekend line segment shutdowns until Sept. 11.

But there are fewer people on the Metro coming from the west — ridership went down this year by 7.4 million rides in North Virginia, WTOP reported.

Staffer shuffle

Rep. Lois Frankel’s new press secretary is Rachel Huxley-Cohen, who comes from the American Jewish Committee’s Project Interchange, where she was assistant director of communications. She replaces Helen Kalla, who left in July to be regional press secretary for the Hillary Clinton campaign in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Rep. Walter Jones’ new press secretary is Allison Tucker, formerly deputy press secretary for Rep. Marlin Stutzman.

Spotted

Sen. Cory Booker and a lady friend walking with bags from Union Station to the Senate office buildings on Thursday afternoon.

Happy Birthday to…

Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, R-Ga., 59, Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., 75, Rep. William Keating, D-Mass., 64, Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., 69, and
Rep. Sander M. Levin, D-Mich., 85.

Save the date

Wednesday: “Fall Back Into Legislative Session” reporter and representative reception, hosted by the Democratic Caucus, 4:30 p.m. in HVC-215.

Thursday: Annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Congressional BBQ Cook-Off, hosted by the offices of Cornerstone Government Affairs, 6 p.m. at 300 Independence Ave. SE.