We learned from this February's snowstorms that the Federal Government in fact cannot function without Metro.

Strengthen whistleblower protection so you don't shoot the messenger.

I believe rail, whether it is heavy rail to move cargo in our corridors, whether it is--I will call it heavy rail, to move people in the Northeast Corridor, whether it is our MARC trains or the Virginia version of that, we need to have a…

We need to be able to have that communication.

I believe that the Federal Government has a clear financial interest in the operation of Metro.

But one of your points, though, is the GSA has got to get cracking on these two other Federal board appointments?

Senators Dodd, Menendez, Mikulski, and I introduced The Public Transportation Safety Program Act that will require the Transportation Secretary to establish and implement a comprehensive Public Transportation Safety program.

I don't think that is an appropriate congressional role.

we have got to be able to get together, put it out on the table, speak uncensored and unfettered, and let us solve some of these problems.

But I think this is a very good guidance.

the March 2010 audit of Metro's safety program by the Federal Transit Administration, requested by Senator Mikulski.

Well, I think that is an interesting insight.

We hear about out-of-service escalators and elevators. That is a top favorite, as well as closed entrances and exits and train delays.

Safe and reliable operation of the Metro System is a top priority for me and the Greater Washington Area delegation.

So now it is our job not to break our promise.

It hasn't improved because the employees who would utilize that type of system don't know that it even exists.

We are not in lieu of what either Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia, the Virginia localities would contribute.

Thank you, Chairwoman Murray, as well as you, Senator Mikulski, on your insight concerning the Federal Transit Administration's audit.

So, if we wanted to modernize, it would take additional revenue from either your Federal partners or other partners. Is that correct?

So what the hell does that mean? Pardon me.

I would like to really have a copy of those top 10 for us as well for the record.

Do you feel that the climate toward whistleblowers has improved?

Because they are the first to experience any breakdowns for not only such a horrific thing as death, but also injury, even if it is temporary injury, you know?

I would strongly recommend in the interim, people who have those concerns bring it to those that they elected to represent them in the workplace.

We need to know then how the board then focuses on that.