U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen spoke at the June COG Board of Directors meeting about their proposed legislation to renew and increase the federal government’s funding commitment to Metro.
The Senate’s Metro Safety, Accountability, and Investment Act of 2019 would reauthorize Congress’ WMATA capital funding commitment—10 years at an annual level of $150M—and provide an additional $50M dollars annually tied to safety, oversight, and governance reforms. Legislation to increase federal funding for Metro, the Metro Accountability and Investment Act, has also been introduced in the House of Representatives.
“There’s a recognition by my colleagues from around the country that the Metro system here is a national system, not just a regional or local system,” said Ben Cardin, U.S. Senator from Maryland. “[Metro] is how the federal workers get to work every day…There’s a special responsibility for the federal government in regard to the Metro system.”
“I want to thank all the local governments, which really helped us in a big way by stepping up to the plate and making your guaranteed contributions,” said Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator from Maryland, referring to the landmark $500 million-a-year, 10-year dedicated funding agreement between the District, Maryland, and Virginia solidified in 2018.
U.S. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen speak to the COG Board of Directors (COG).
Gerry Connolly, U.S. Representative from Virginia and co-sponsor of the legislation in the House, noted in a written statement that the bills use both a "carrot and stick" approach by investing in the system while also holding it accountable.
The COG Board voted unanimously to approve a resolution expressing COG Board support for the federal legislation and urging its passage. Board leadership, Chair Robert C. White Jr, and Vice Chairs Derrick L. Davis and Christian Dorsey, will also send a letter to both houses of Congress in support:
“WMATA is critical to the federal government,” reads the letter. “More than half of Metrorail stations serve federal facilities and approximately 40 percent of morning peak-period customers are federal employees. Metrorail also allows for the evacuation of more than 120,000 people per hour during an emergency. Federal funding—together with the region’s commitment—will support the major maintenance and capital rehabilitation activities that are necessary to restore and improve the aging transit system.”
MORE:
COG Board Letter and Resolution Supporting Reauthorization and Increase of Federal Funding for Metro
Washington Business Journal: Metro looks set to win more federal funding. How much more is a lingering question.