Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell wrote to Congress urging fellow Republican leaders to support “full ongoing funding” for the Metrorail system, after some lobbying from Old Dominion Democrats on the matter.
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., proposed legislation to restore $150 million in federal matching funds for safety and infrastructure improvements, but had been rebuffed by Republican House leadership.
“Continued federal funding is essential as federal, state, district, regional, and local partners continue to work to improve and expand the system to meet future demands for transportation choices,” McDonnell wrote in the letter, dated March 1, to Harold Rogers, R-Ky., Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
McDonnell, who has been trying to get state representation on the WMATA board, wrote that he supports Congress’s efforts to rein in spending, but that “infrastructure development and maintenance is critical to our ability to create jobs and opportunity, and I hope you will sustain this funding.”
“I welcome the governor’s forthright statement,” said Connolly. “We must restore this funding – it’s critical for the National Capital Region.”
