Davis: Metro Bill Must be Passed, Now More than Ever

Statement

Davis: Metro Bill Must Be Passed, Now More than Ever

U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., ranking Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said today the Virginia Supreme Court's ruling on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority must not hinder consideration of his bill to provide a $1.5. Billion dollars federal match for Metro improvements over the next 10 years. Local transportation officials have suggested last week's ruling may mean Virginia no longer has a viable plan to fund its share. His statement follows:

"I have full confidence Gov. Kaine and the Virginia General Assembly will act quickly to establish a funding mechanism for the Northern Virginia Transit Authority that will pass muster in the courts.

"But no matter how the NVTA controversy is resolved, Metro can't be allowed to suffer. The federal government depends on Metro to move employees in and out of Washington, and the entire region depends on it as a vital transportation link and as the main evacuation route in case of attack.

"The ruling is another stark reminder about the urgency of passing my committee-approved legislation to provide Metro with a stable and reliable source of funding. Virginia has to step up, solve its legal problems and do its part. But Congress needs to show we're just as serious about sustaining and growing this strategically critical transit operation by passing this bill. Failure to do so would further endanger a comprehensive solution to regional transportation issues across the board - not only mass transit but much-needed additional road capacity as well.

"We can't continue to play a dangerous game of chicken with each jurisdiction waiting for the other to do what everyone knows to be essential for regional growth and security."

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