senators who are cancers snators who are cancers who rs who are cancers who wanted are cancers who wanted in see from cancers who wanted to see if you thank you to our first responders for all that is taking place. i responders for all that is taking place. lam responders for all that is taking place. i am a responders for all that is taking place. lam a united states senator from kansas, taking place. lam a united states senatorfrom kansas, and i chaired the subcommittee and commerce on aviation. commerce committee on aviation. so, we have really a serious and sad circumstances that we want to be here to be helpful, and we are praying that our responders safe and the responders are safe and the that are that flight folks that are on that flight are recovered. circumstance are recovered. the circumstance i would describe it is that i i 7; i flown j 7; i flown it know that flight, i flown it times i will beat many timear'nysatf,”l'will beat airlines to begin american airlines to begin having our direct nonstop flight service to dca. that

flight service to dca. that flight has in existence e 7 vabouta year, and it is true that in kansas certainly true that in kansas and wichita in particular, we are going to know $772: ’ igrtifisfiflighrt w 7 trifisflighit—nmi " 7 7 t7ifis77fli7gh7t —7k7now7 77 this flight — know their 77 no somebody... 2 =2 z z this is a very 7 so, this is a very personal circumstance as as an circumstance as well as an response. again, we official response. again, we will do everything can to sure we are supportive of make sure we are supportive of the rescue efforts, we will the rescue efforts, and we will make certain that our subcommittee congress is subcommittee and congress is engaged in what needs to take place following the outcome of evening and this month's i have 77 i hve talked g investigation. ! have talked to —~ 7— — — —r — and investigation. ! have talked to , r—r— m r—— —— and the investigation, ! have talked to , a, m r—— —— and the white house, investigation, ! have talked to , a, ——— r—— —— and the white house, the of defence and the department of defence and the ceo of airlines, and ch.) of american airtinaa. and loss or ch.) of american airtinea. and loss or pulling best outcome possible. i am the best outcomepaeeiblejam to be here with my

senator 7 senator marshall7, as try77to ca re try77to care for those who we try to care for those who are back in kansas on that flight, but it is a reminder fligbt, but it is a reminder people lligl1t, but it is a reminder people in dc, that people in washington, dc, and maryland, this and and maryland, this region and many other places that to many other places that lie to from kansas, we are routing and from kansas. we are routing all of those and supporting all of those regardless of where you are from. appreciate the here trying to gathering here trying to provide support to all of those across your — m777 m77— across your city when one person dies, senator. when one person dies, it is tragedy, when many it is a tragedy, when many peorfle _ it is a tragedy, when many people died, it is an it is a tragedy, when many people diet sorrow. it is a unbearable sorrow. it is a heartbreak beyond major. i know m and _ heartbreak beyond major. i know m and i_ heartbreak beyond major. i know that” �*and i here that the senator and i are here to say— that the senator and i are here to say that _ that the senator and i are here to say that we care. we wish there — to say that we care. we wish there is_ to say that we care. we wish there is more we could do, but unfortunately doesn't seem there is more we could do, but unfor isrately doesn't seem there is more we could do, but unfor is much doesn't seem there is more we could do, but unfor is much atioesn't seem there is more we could do, but unfor is much atioes time. em there is more we could do, but unfor is much atioes time. in e want the folks hack horde to that we care, we

want the folks hack horde ta _ - that we care, we love - know that we care, we love them, _ know that we care, we love them, and this is a time when we will— them, and this is a time when we will have to arms zczifci s77:— other out. we have been through like other out. we have been through - like this _ other out. we have been through like this before, things like this before, through tornadoes and floods things like this before, thrc things, radoes and floods things like this before, thrc things, radn it ; and floods things like this before, thrc things, radn it is nd floods things like this before, thrc things, radn it is really >ds and things, but it is really hard — and things, but it is really hard when you lose probably over— hard when you lose probably over 60 _ hard when you lose probably over 60 simultaneously. over 60 kansans simultaneously. idoh't _ over 60 kansans simultaneously. i don't want — over 60 kansans simultaneously. don't want to forget the i don't want to forget the pilots _ i don't want to forget the pilots and the military personnel that we lost. all those _ personnel that we lost. all those lives are so valuable. it is such — those lives are so valuable. it is such a _ those lives are so valuable. it is such a tragedy that we lost ii them. i think in times like this, — them. i think in times like this, i_ them. i think in times like this, i- to— them. i think in times like this, i to find a this, i tried to find a scripture that is and from g 5 this is from the book of psalms _ this is from the book of psalms. it says the lord is to psalrns. lt saysihe—kerd—ls - m_ psalms. lt says the lord is to the broken hearted psalms .!t says the lord is to the broken hearted and iei certainly, we are 2777777137 7toni-ht. crushed in spirit tonight. we mourh— crushed in spirit tonight. we mourn with the who mourn with the families who lost — mourn with the families who lost loved ones, and we truly are joining in prayer and are joining them in prayer and wrapping _ are joining them in prayer and wrapping her around them

wra p—ping he r a r—ms around the. i, love wra pping he r arms around them i m_ wra poing he r arms around them love and compassion. thank in love and compassion t. -- » to in love and compassion thank to everybody for out in love and compassion thank to e and jody for out in love and compassion thank to e and thankrr out in love and compassion thank to e and thank you out in love and compassion thank to e and thank you yourt tonight, and thank you for your thoughts — tonight, and thank you for your thoughts and your prayers. certainly i speak for the of ' of 7 700,000 us. who are entren1eiii;r sorri;r gllus, who are extremely sorry the are for the families who are loss experiencing loss tonight. we you to know that will want you to know that we will continue to work with american want you to know that we will continui to» work with american want you to know that we will continui to share with american want you to know that we will continui to share information an airlinesrtershare "femate" frequently as and as frequently as possible and sure that we are getting make sure that we aregetting information to the accurate information out to the public. my sorrow for all of the people and crew on the and our military plane and our military personnel on the personnel is very —— military personnel the i want to to the ceo of our airports responsible for national 7 and

reagan national airport and dallas airport to you about how the airport to you about how the airport responded to what we are responded to and what we are looking for, what is going to next. ,., ., looking for, what is going to next. , ., ., ., happen next. good evening, i am jack happen next. good evening, i am jack potter. _ happen next. good evening, i am jack potter, the _ happen next. good evening, i am jack potter, the president - happen next. good evening, i am jack potter, the president and - -—= 7 of the metropolitan seq of the metropolitan’w ” ' ' ' authority. washington airports authority. thank you all for here thank you all for being here tonight, under grim j: -72 77 first of 7 77 77 7 7f7ifs7t7of7al7l,7 7 7 to let you that we want to let you know that we are providing all want to let you know that we are families; all want to let you know that we are families who all want to let you know that we are families who are all want to let you know that we are families who are involved. want to let you know that we are famili airlines re involved. want to let you know that we are famili airlines has 1volved. american airlines has established a number for established a phone numberfor them to reach out but has been but me them to reach out but has been of me are- , them to reach out but has been of folks re 2:2. , them to reach out but has been of folks that iszi . them to reach out but has been of folks that were it; families at felks that were" . the plane are asked to on the plane are asked to contact them. we had folks who on the plane are asked to cor at t them. we had folks who on the plane are asked to cor at the am. we had folks who on the plane are asked to cor at the airport had folks who on the plane are asked to cor at the airport pick—up (s who ones, and so they have

“p up in their lounge. we hate 2—1: 7t7he7famhie7s77 7 7the7famhie7s7ther7e,7 7 there are7 folks and there are7 to (s and there are7 to workl there are7 to work with councils there to work with families. we had that families. we had aircraft that were in the air. they were diverted to dulles airport, some 19 aircraft. we want to thank the metro for to make 77 to make sure 7 7 7 77 7 one. am; accommodated. as we said were accommodated. as we said earlier by the chief, we are in a rescue mode. we'll continue that rescue mode. want to 77 all the mutual aid thank allthe mutual.ald........ all the thank allthe mutual.ald........ all the counties, responders, all the counties, districts, folks from maryland virginia, everybody who is site 7 the 7 7 site 7 the best 7 site 77 the best they on site doing the best they can, and numerous boats out on water right now. is on i want to thank all of site. i want to thank all of the folks behind me, the secretary, the mayor, two aesretary. the "restores-fee for all the senators for all the support, we will continue to work

the night. i want to three'gh the "a“ use“ to an announcement, because make an announcement, because people are about people are concerned about what is going to happen in the morning. reagan national airport will be closed 11 airport will be closed until 11 o'clock. that is when the first flights will take off. we will 7 7t707dooui'777 77 7 7t707dooui'7best 77 7 7t707do oui’7best an7d continue to do our best and work with the situation over the course of the night, and we hope to have more news as it 7-= but right now it is 777777d7iffi7cul7t 77 7 777777d7iffi7c7ul7t77 7 with very difficult situation with the is very but are numerous boats out diee there . diee there. so there, dive teams out there, so we 2.2 to there, dive teams out there, so we q; to work we will continue to work the and i will turn it situation and i will turn it back to the mayor. thank you. thank you for that update, and thank'you fo'r'that update. and have thank'you fo'r'that update, and have that in the i have heard that in the national capital region, we close region, wa7shington, a close region, washington, dc is centre, we have the heard from the governors of maryland and virginia, the mayor of the city of baltimore,

all of whom have sent us personnel help in the rescue last i will operations. last thing i will is just too our local ute not is luettaa'eiur’taieal'hte please let not is lusttss'sur’tssal'hts please let our viewership, please let our do their work. first responders do their work. try to let our vehicles gets scenes and through throughscenes andthrough stop we don't throughscenesandthrough stop we don't want else to get hurt because anyone else to get hurt because of moving vehicles, ok? we will be able to take a few questions. there's not a lot we can say. be able to can say. we won't be able to say anything about an investigation, as you know, once fire and ems completes the operation, then goes over to the investigation goes over to the national safety investigation goes over to the national i safety investigation goes over to the national i am safety investigation goes over to the national i am sure safety investigation goes over to the national i am sure ntsb aty board, and i am sure ntsb will provide information about when provide information aheat'fihen will be briefing about an so will ta ke so will take a �*questions.

few questions. perhaps that she can expiain _ few questions. perhaps that she can explain what _ few questions. perhaps that she can explain what is _ few questions. perhaps that she can explain what is involved - few questions. perhaps that she can explain what is involved in l can explain what is involved in conducting _ can explain what is involved in conducting an _ can explain what is involved in conducting an operation? - can explain what is involved in conducting an operation? thel conductind—an seerat'enlw— conductina—an operation?—~— is rescuin- focus now is rescuing people, and that is what all our are focused on stop chief, 77 7chi7e7f,7 7t7h7ir717k77 7h5;777 chief, think hasgiven prettyf, think hasgiven pretty good ink has given pretty good description, ven pretty good description, but you.. inns fei" :s an ' you 7w7a nt to you7w7ant to add anything, chief? i will “ust say we have boats out _ chief? i will “ust say we have boats out i searches, i boats out doing searches, divers _ boats out doing searches, divers oh _ boats out doing searches, divers on both aircraft, and they— divers on both aircraft, and they are _ divers on both aircraft, and they are searching the aircraft at this— they are searching the aircraft at this point.— at this point. have any survivors _ at this point. have any survivors been - at this point. have any survivors been found, | at this point. have any . survivors been found, and at this point. have any - survivors been found, and how bodies have been many bodies have been recovered?— many bodies have been recovered? ~ recovered? title can confine . ...-.c..-..- is number of --eole tonight is the number of people in each aircraft, on in each aircraft. so peepleens ,, . ... american in each aircraft. so peepleenr ,, , .,, american airlines plane and the american—airlines plane and people on the military three people on the military helicopter. we can't provide any more information

anymore information about. efforts. v- recovery efforts. people are talkin: recovery efforts. people are talking - the _ recovery efforts. people are talking - the loss - recovery efforts. people are talking - the loss of - recovery efforts. people are i talking - the loss of loved talking about the loss of loved ones. — talking about the loss of loved ones. so — talking about the loss of loved ones, so how do you | 2—2 2:2 say i didn't know é say i didn't know people é lost i didn't know people é lost loved 't know people é lost loved ones, v people é lost loved ones, ~ said rle é lost loved ones, ~ said we talk about any of can't talk about any of the effort tonight. will this affect operation _ tonight. will this affect operation at _ tonight. will this affect operation at dulles - tonight. will this affect . operation at dulles airport tonight. will this affect - operation at dulles airport and i? can you talk about is no impact at ad dollars. as i otaddollars. as l said reagan international otaddollars. as l said willigan international otaddollars. as l said will be 1 international otaddollars. as l said will be closed rational otaddollars. as l said will be closed untilial otaddollars. as l said will be closed until 11 and obviously metal be we wa nt we want to advise fluid, we want to advise passengers that we will be closed until at least 11 o'clock.

closed until at least 11 o'clock-— o'clock. one second, you are next. thank _ o'clock. one second, you are next. thank you _ o'clock. one second, you are next. thank you so _ o'clock. one second, you are next. thank you so much. i o'clock. one second, you are i next. thank you so much. other than the current situations like — than the current situations like we _ than the current situations like we note _ than the current situations like we note the _ than the current situations like we note the i is l than the current situations like we no cold 5 i is. than the current situations like we no cold and i is. than the current situations like we no cold and it| is. than the current situations like we no cold and it is;l than the current situations i like we no cold and it is very ; outside,7777tors outside, the senators are -m_ dark outside. . .- -. ...... - - . i there are boats saying there are numerous boats in the _ saying there are numerous boats in the water, _ saying there are numerous boats in the water, but _ saying there are numerous boats in the water, but what _ saying there are numerous boats in the water, but what are i saying there are numerous boats in the water, but what are the i in the water, but what are the biggest — in the water, but what are the biggest _ for- in the water, but what are the biggest _ for the i team 77— 27 team and what team and what scenarios we expect in the can we expect in the coming hours? _ can we expect in the coming hours? . . , can we expect in the coming hours? . ., , ., hours? the challenges are accessed. _ hours? the challenges are accessed. we _ hours? the challenges are accessed. we are i accessed. we are operating water— accessed. we are operating water that is about feet water that is about eight feet deep, — water that is about eight feet deep, there is wind and pieces of ice — deep, there is wind and pieces of ice out _ deep, there is wind and pieces of ice out there, so it is aim-7 7m in dangerous and hard to work in, and - there _ dangerous and hard to work in, and there is not a lot dangerous and hard to work in, ar light there is not a lot dangerous and hard to work in, ar light out there is not a lot dangerous and hard to work in, ar light out there, is not a lot dangerous and hard to work in, ar light out there, is r are lot of light out there, you are _ every— of light out there, you are every inch of space of light out there, you are if every inch of space of light out there, you are if you ary inch of space of light out there, you are if you can nch of space of light out there, you are if you can find )f space of light out there, you are if you can find anybody. divers are doin- i divers are doing i same the divers are doing the same vyater dark and things the eater is dark and we» and tou-h thing. the eater is dark and i and tough condition murtyiand thattoug co '.'o murky: and thattough—condition murky: and thattough—condition murtyiand thattoug'n condition to dive in. the for them to dive in. the question— for them to dive in. the question about the river, we make decision later. will make the decision later, the coastguard is on scene, and i the coastguard is on scene, and i- expect— the coastguard is on scene, and i- expect it _ the coastguard is on scene, and i expect it is not a high i would expect it is not a high use time _ i would expect it is not a high use time on the river, and i use time ontheeiuertand—l -w_ use time ontheciuertand-l i expect will— use time onthe river, and! expect will not have

would expect will not have recreational on the recreational traffic on the river— recreational traffic on the river tomorrow. three questions- _ river tomorrow. three questions. have i river tomorrow. three questions. have you | river tomorrow. three i questions. have you been in touch with — questions. have you been in touch with i air— questions. have you been in touch with i air traffic i touch with the air traffic who were at the time touch with the air traffic the who were at the time touch with the air traffic the crash? i were at the time touch wit. ' ' i the crash? at the time touchwith u =' =-' the crash? . m a ofthe crash? a? e? f is the of the crash? a? e? f is the first few hours in this is the first few hours in this is the first few hours in this position, what are your thoughts this i this position, what are your thoughts i this thoughts at this time? i have been - for _ been secretary for a little - than _ been secretary for a little - than a _ been secretary for a little than a day, and the more than a day, and the tragedy— more than a day, and the tragedy that we going to tragedy that we are going to deal— tragedy that we are going to deal with with this recovery everyone because my touching everyone because my cartsi — touching everyone because my carts, whether it is here in the greater dc area or in kansas, _ the greater dc area or in kansas, and i think everyone here — kansas, and i think everyone here is— kansas, and i think everyone here is and praying kansas, and i think everyone hei those and praying kansas, and i think everyone hei those who and praying kansas, and i think everyone hei those who potentially ng kansas, and i think everyone hei those who potentially have for those who potentially have lost a — for those who potentially have lost a loved one. can for those who potentially have lost a loved one.— 727mm -ive usa -ive us a sense of how an you give usa sense a - - like you give usa sense of—howan like this could you give usa sense of—howan - like this could have i

accident like this could ha~= www so accident like this could ha~= ww so close accident like this could ha~e ww so close to accident like this could ha~e www so close to the happened so close to the - right _ happened so close to the - right in _ happened so close to the i right in the i happened so close to the i i right in the i of ; :=— 7 o7rrts thedc dc? have been reports the dc the dc? have been reports the dc| _ the helicopter tower contactedthe'heticopter _ m_ tower contactedthewi—reticopter _ m tower contactedthe'heticopt. _ before crash ask they had site of the and apparently the 7777 77—777 t77 helicopter reported that it did have — helicopter reported that it did have sight— helicopter reported that it did have sight of— helicopter reported that it did have sight of an _ helicopter reported that it did have sight of an aircraft i have sight of an aircraft stop is it— have sight of an aircraft stop is it possible _ have sight of an aircraft stop is it possible it— have sight of an aircraft stop is it possible it had - have sight of an aircraft stop is it possible it had the i have sight of an aircraft stopl is it possible it had the wrong 7 % insight because might aircraft insight because might you - any— aircraft insight because might you - any sense _ aircraft insight because might you i any sense of- aircraft insight because might you i any sense of what i aircraft insight because might i you i any sense of what went you have any sense of what went wrong _ you have any sense of what went wrong in — you have any sense of what went wrong in those _ you have any sense of what went wrong in those final— you have any sense of what went wrong in those final moments? i| you have any sense of what went wroni that rose final moments? i| you have any sense of what went wroni that the a final moments? l| you have any sense of what went wroni that the national ments? i| safety boa rd its will able to investigation will be able to search on all of those questions. we wouldn't be able to that night. questions. we wouldn't be able to i that night.- to talk about that night. tw were secretary to talk about that night. 7’ were secretary duffy questions were secretary/bu . you questions were secretary—buffy - you are questions were secretaryrhuffy you are talking about the stop you are talking about the president and pete how president and �* . -- is president anddeetehhow —fi being president and pete how is being there. can accessiblerissheingath -. .-- tell accessible risheingathefeeean - m— accessible—isheingathere. can tell us about the reaction? you tellus ahoutthereac.’ - ? was you tellus ahoutthe reaction; im— you tellus ahoutthe reaction? was not in the situation, but i was not in the situation, but i was not in the situation, but i did have a conversation with the situation room, where the was located as well president was located as well as with secretary hegseth. i

would just note that not only the local team but the federal team base.-- well in team hasper�*emed very “sell in crisis team hasper�*emed very sell in crisis i know team hasrperfermed very sell in crisis i know the this crisis i know the president incredibly president is incredibly concerned about what has here today. sure we happened here today. sure we will continue to hear more from 777ar717di7777 7 7 7 77 and i will continue him, and i will continue to consult with him and secretary what ou hegseth. fifgii—wwle 7 7777 7 what ou m hegseth. fifgii—wwle 7 77777 7 what ou m getting what you need on a - level? _ getting what you need on a level? ~ , ,., , federal level? absolutely. the - resident federal level? absolutely. the president i committed i federal level? absolutely. the president i committed to i federal level? absolutely. the i president i committed to this president has committed to this team and the ntsb the team and the ntsb through the dlt that we will all necessary as we go resources necessary as we go through this recovery, but also resources necessary as we go thrl support recovery, but also resources necessary as we go thrl support from very, but also resources necessary as we go thrl support from faa but also resources necessary as we go thrl support from faa and also resources necessary as we go thrl support from faa and dod as the support from faa and dod as the support from faa and dod as the investigates. do the ”15 hoists“; the ”15 hoists“; the of ths ftie assstgsts» the of the know the condition of the aircraft? _ know the condition of the aircraft? as _ know the condition of the aircraft? as a _ know the condition of the aircraft? as a whole, i know the condition of the i aircraft? as a whole, i or aircraft? as a whole, split or in pieces? _ aircraft? as a whole, split or in pieces? l— aircraft? as a whole, split or in pieces?— in pieces? i do mean we can on in pieces? i do meanwe can' — on that. f in pieces? i do meanwe oon' — on that. of in pieces? i do meanwe oon' - on that, our focus l in pieces? i do meao we so i - on that, our focus is comment on that; our focus is and crew

getting passengers and crew out of the water. we were told that dca will be shut down until friday five m, and we have just it is if m tomorrow? it is ii in tomorrow? �*fes? heard it is 11 m tomorrow? yes? 0k. 9l. . ta ke 9l. ta ke a 9l. take a question here we can take a question here and here. ., . ., we can take a question here and here-i has _ we can take a question here and here.i has been _ we can take a question here and here. ca has been transported the hospital? i can't say anything _ the hospital? i can't say anything about i the hospital? i can't say anything about the - the hospital? i can't say l anything about the rescue eé—e——;’i:;" £5 ’ 3"""'5"' ”"7" 777 h 7 operation right now. chief can operation right now. chief _ can use - operation right now. chief _ can use a - operation right now. chief _ can use a little | operation right now. chief. _ can use a little bit the unified the unified command more about the unified command this more about the unified command _ this phase _ more about the unified command this phase of that leads this phase of the rescue _ that leads this phase of the rescue and recovery. at what do rescue and recovery. at what - do you _ rescue and recovery. at what do you phases, and you 5452755355 2— i—z - you describe thscene - - you describe thscene to . can you describe the scene to us as— can you describe the scene to us as best _ can you describe the scene to us as best you can for the first— us as best you can for the first responders? | us as best you can for the first responders? §listening thei ii-listenin the be listening to the radio this evening when the call came out. i was listening to the responders come in, and the respenders some in, and the response, they reseehdere eeme in, and the response, they were initial response, they were very professional. if you can

imagine, the river is large imagine, the river is a large black spot with no 7 — on itapart on it apart from on it apartfrom a on it apart from a few lights on it apart from a few beauty lights. they were 1658 00:16:12,476 -