The push is on for Congress to keep funding Metro – among local leaders, that is.
D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray said Wednesday that he has written to House Appropriations Committee leaders, urging them to keep the federal commitment to Metro.
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday he opposes $150 million in proposed federal cuts for Metro, even though the Republican up-and-comer said he supports House GOP efforts to trim federal spending.
It remains to be seen how much their voices will matter, though. Last week U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., lost out when the House shot down his amendment to restore the $150 million.
Under a 10-year deal, the federal government agreed to pay for $150 million annually to the transit agency for infrastructure improvements as long as D.C., Maryland and Virginia kicked in $50 million each per year.
The idea was that federal workers make up about 40 percent of the morning rush on the Metro system, so the federal government should help keep the system running. The first round was slated to help make payments on new rail cars that are expected to arrive by 2016.
The money, though, needs to be appropriated each year.
It was first targeted last month when the Republican Study Committee drafted a plan to cut $2.5 trillion in federal spending over the next decade.
