Norton Announces Third $150 Million Federal Installment for Metro

Norton Announces Third $150 Million Federal Installment for Metro

November 15, 2011

Norton said that she and her regional colleagues were able to get the $1.5 billion Metro authorization only after years of trying, and that the fight has only become even more difficult in an increasingly tough budget climate.

Norton has consistently pressed for congressional hearings on the safety and operations of Metro, including the first hearing after the June 2009 Red Line train collision that killed nine people, including seven from D.C. Most recently, Norton questioned Metro officials in June on safety standards at an Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing and at a joint congressional delegation hearing.

"Metro funding is necessary because without a functioning and safe Metro, the federal government itself shuts down, as we saw with last winter's heavy snowstorms," Norton said. "We lost too many lives because of safety issues at Metro. We simply cannot allow any lapses in the capital funds that are making Metro safer and more reliable."