Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer made the following statement this morning regarding H.R. 2577, the funding bill for the Department of Transportation under consideration in the House, which would cut Metro funding by $50 million:

“We saw earlier this week at Memorial Bridge what happens when Congress abdicates its responsibility to fund our nation’s infrastructure,” said Rep. Beyer. “Now is not the time to back out of our commitment to the national capital metro system. For the safety of all the thousands of tourists, commuters, and federal employees that ride it every day, Metro has to improve. Bleeding the system dry with shortsighted reckless funding cuts is no way to do that.”

Beyer joined Reps. Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Chris Van Hollen (MD-8), Donna F. Edwards (MD-4), John Sarbanes (MD-3), John Delaney (MD-6), and Barbara Comstock (VA-10):

“We are deeply disappointed that the House of Representatives has chosen to cut $50 million from Metro and not fulfill the long-standing federal commitment critical to rider safety improvements. 

“Reducing this funding breaks the 10-year federal commitment and jeopardizes the successful local, state and federal partnership.  Millions of Americans – not just from the DC region, but from across the nation – depend on Metro, which is why Congress and the federal government have a responsibility to the operation, oversight, and safety of the system.

“We will work with our House and Senate colleagues to restore this vital funding for Metro safety upgrades as the appropriations process moves forward.”

The regional delegation jointly offered an amendment to restore full funding to Washington’s Metro system, but it was ruled out of order during debate on the House floor Wednesday night.