Metro: Report Card for America’s Subway

CHAIRMAN CONNOLLY'S OPENING STATEMENT

PURPOSE

The hearing will examine the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) funding, oversight, and reform efforts, and serve to shape legislation to further improve the Metrorail system’s operations.

BACKGROUND

• WMATA is a $40 billion transit system that is essential to the operation of the federal government.  Federal employees represent approximately one-third of Metrorail’s peak period commuters, and more than half of Metrorail stations serve federal facilities.
• WMATA’s Watchdogs: Robust oversight by the Government Operations Subcommittee, WMATA Inspector General, and the newly-formed Washington Metrorail Safety Commission is critical to WMATA’s continued progress in the areas of system safety, reliability for riders, and fiscal accountability.
• Chairman Connolly has introduced the Metro Accountability and Investment Act (MAIA, H.R. 2520), which would make vital reforms to WMATA and ensure the federal government continues its financial support for “America’s Subway.”