House Members Trapped For Short Time In 'Overloaded' Elevator
Thu Jun 12 2003 10:36:50 ET
Here's the pitch: Fourteen House Members -- male and female, big and small, liberal and conservative -- stuck in an elevator for a half-hour and forced to learn how to get along. No, it's not a new TV show. It's real life and it came to pass on Wednesday, when 14 lawmakers and an elevator operator were stranded in a Rayburn car for 35 minutes before Architect of the Capitol workers were able to force the doors open, ROLL CALL reports.
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A pending House vote was held open for several minutes so the lawmakers could make it to the floor. ... Architect of the Capitol spokeswoman Eva Malecki said the elevator got stuck because it was 'overloaded,' as the 15 occupants of the elevator apparently exceeded the 3,000-pound weight limit. ... The extra weight caused the bottom of the elevator to sag below the level of the floor outside, automatically engaging the 'limit switch' and preventing the doors from opening. The doors stay closed when the limit switch is engaged because otherwise the elevator's occupants could trip upon attempting to exit the car.
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