Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) recently spoke at a hearing on the reauthorization of funding for our nation’s surface transportation.
He stressed the importance of continuing investment in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
“The federal government literally runs on Metro,” Warner said. “Close to 40 percent of Metro’s riders during rush hour are federal employees, and that is critically important to the functioning of our government. WMATA also serves a critically important role in terms of the continuation of government in the event of a disaster. If we ever have to deal with an evacuation similar to what we dealt with post-9/11, the burden falls on Metro. The local jurisdictions have stepped up, and as I’ve mentioned, the federal government couldn’t function without Metro.”
Warner also noted that WMATA plays a major role in promoting tourism for the capital and is needed during national events.
Warner’s Metro Safety, Accountability and Investment Act would renew federal funding for WMATA for an additional 10 years at $150 million annually. Funds would be matched by Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.
The bill also would fund safety, oversight, and administrative improvements at $50 million annually. WMATA would be required to enact certain reforms to receive those funds.