Letter to Richard Sarles, General Manager & Chief Executive Officer - Mikulski Demands Action Plan for Accountability from Metro after FTA Audit Uncovers Problems with Metro's Accounting and Procurement of Federal Funding

Letter

Mr. Richard Sarles
General Manager & Chief Executive Officer
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 5th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001

Dear Mr. Sarles:

I request that you provide the Senate Appropriations Committee with a plan outlining how the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) will address the serious accounting and procurement problems relating to its handling of federal transit funding.

I am very disappointed and troubled to learn about the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) audit findings. For the last five years, the National Capital Region Congressional Delegation has met its federal obligation to Metro by providing $150 million annually as authorized by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-432). We worked very hard to secure and protect this funding through the legislative process.

You need to know that future dedicated funding for Metro is in real jeopardy. Federal funding is stringent. American taxpayers expect value and accountability for every dollar. And so do I. I will not tolerate Metro's mismanagement of taxpayer dollars.

Metro must not only respond to the FTA's audit but it must provide answers to Congress. I want to know your plan to correct these problems. What procedures and protocols are you going to implement? What is the timetable for implementation? How will you make sure these new reforms are adhered to moving forward?

I would appreciate your prompt responses to this urgent matter.

Source