Republican Budget Cut to Metro Would Decimate Northern Virginia

by: lowkell

Mon Feb 14, 2011 at 17:01:28 PM EST

Republican Continuing Resolution Guts Metro Funding

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, today condemned the Republican spending cuts to WMATA. Announced in the proposed FY11 Continuing Resolution, the cuts would eliminate the $150 million annual federal funding to the Metro system.

"The funding cut to WMATA will be detrimental to the system, and in turn, diminish the ability of thousands of employees to get to work," said Moran. "Critically, these cuts will limit WMATA's ability to fully implement the recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board. Rider safety should not be compromised in order to score political points. "

"This cut does not represent fiscal leadership; it demonstrates a willingness to pass the buck off to states, localities, and potentially Metro riders," Moran continued. "The severe reductions to WMATA are just the beginning. Republicans slashed critical funding to high speed rail, Amtrak, and other necessary means of transportation all across the country."

The annual federal funding, matched by Virginia, DC, and Maryland, goes toward capital and preventive maintenance expenditures. In exchange for funding, the federal government receives representation on WMATA's Board of Directors. Federal government employees comprise 40% of peak Metro ridership, including Pentagon employees and others holding positions key to national security.