Statement from the National Capital Region Congressional Delegation on Proposed Cuts to Metro Funding
Statement
Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen issued a joint statement with Reps. Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11th), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA-8th), Barbara Comstock (VA-10th), Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5th), Donna F. Edwards (MD-4th), John P. Sarbanes (MD-3rd), John K. Delaney (MD-6th), Eleanor Holmes Norton, (DC- At-large) on the proposal to reduce federal funding for Metro:
We are deeply disappointed by the House Appropriations Committee's proposal to cut $75 million in grant funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro).
Providing anything less than the federal commitment of $150 million would jeopardize rider safety and the successful partnership with Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to fund the purchase of new rail cars and vital safety improvements throughout the system in response to NTSB and FTA recommendations. The proposed reduction would only exacerbate the operations and safety issues that our delegation has been working with Metro to resolve.
Since 2009, Congress has worked in bipartisan fashion to fulfill its annual commitment of $150 million, which is matched by $50 million each from Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, under a partnership created by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PL 110-432).
It would be shortsighted for Congress to threaten to unravel this partnership given the federal government's unique relationship with and responsibility to Metro. Nearly 40% of rush-hour riders are federal employees, and half of all Metro stations are located on federal property. Metro is also a critical component of the National Capital Region's emergency response system.
We respectfully urge our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, as they prepare for the full Committee markup, to maintain our commitment to our state and local funding partners, and work with us to ensure robust oversight of Metro's ongoing efforts to address financial and safety concerns identified by the FTA and NTSB.
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