Like most elected officials representing the region around the District, U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn, D-Md., worries about transportation. As the 110th Congress kicked off Thursday and Democratic leaders talked of quick action on wide-ranging national legislation, Wynn began working to secure funding for transportation work in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
This year he would like to secure federal money to start planning an extension of Metro’s Yellow Line from Alexandria across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into Prince George’s County, where it could connect to an existing station or a new one. Wynn said he doesn’t have a set funding figure in mind for this year; he just wants enough money to get the project off the ground.
“We need to find a way to get people from the Prince George’s side to the Alexandria side of the bridge,” said the congressman, who represents Maryland’s 4th District. “It will be a great benefit to federal employees who want to takethe Metro to work,” Wynn said.
Wynn began his eighth term Thursday. He nearly didn’t get a chance to enjoy being in the party that controls Congress. Political activist Donna Edwards came within about 2,000 votes of unseating him in September’s Democratic primary.
“The Metro project will help residents, the roads and the environment,” said Wynn, who also is eyeing additional funds for road projects on top of the Metro extension.
House Speaker Nancy D. Pelosi, D-Calif., has laid out an ambitious schedule for the Democrats’ first 100 hours in power that features several pieces of high-profile legislation. Of the bills cued up for early consideration, Wynn said two in particular would help his constituents.
“The minimum-wage increase will make a big difference for hard-working people,” he said. “The other important bill will lower student-loan interest rates so young people will be able to afford college education.”
