Norton Statement on FTA Decision to Withhold Transit Funds from D.C., Maryland and Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released the following statement after the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced it will withhold federal transit funds from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia until the jurisdictions establish a new State Safety Oversight Program (SSOP), certified by FTA, for the rail operations of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

"The FTA's decision to punish the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia by withholding transit funds from WMATA and other regions of the states with their own transit needs is unfair and counterproductive. Unlike other areas of the country, WMATA encompasses three jurisdictions and three separate legislatures, each of which must pass legislation. Today's decision is particularly unfair to the District of Columbia, which has already passed the necessary legislation to create the Metro Safety Commission. Nevertheless, we have been working in good faith with our partners and we will continue to work with the Virginia and Maryland General Assemblies until they pass legislation to form the Metro Safety Commission. I am committed to doing everything I can to help speed action on the enactment of the new Metro Safety Commission to ensure safety for WMATA."