Gerry Connolly

The Federal Government in one way is a free rider. We do not subsidize the operations of Metro.

It is the national capital transit system serving the capital of the free world.

They have got to see themselves as a resource in the event of something emergent.

I have talked about what had crept up as becoming a culture of mediocrity, and with respect to customer services, sometimes indifference.

I think we have got to focus on that as something that is key to revitalizing and optimizing the comeback we are seeing.

We continue to hope D.C. voting rights and statehood move forward.

He was very much loved on both sides of the aisle, and I know that he would say the work doesn't stop.

The bill would authorize the $150 million in annual capital funding for 10 more years, contingent on the local jurisdictions bringing in matching dollars.

Without continued Federal participation, however, this successful capital funding stream would unravel, leaving a massive shortfall in WMATA's budget.

It is not often I find myself praising anything in the Trump budget, but in this one case, I do.

We cannot allow shoddy construction by cost-cutting contractors to saddle Metro and its ridership with long-term costly maintenance problems.

I believe Barbara Mikulski played a key role in that.

Congress was instrumental in establishing this new safety oversight body.

Together we have been supportive of General Manger Paul Wiedefeld's reforms to the system.

Steny Hoyer has just been a pivotal figure in making sure that happens over the years.

I thank the distinguished majority leader, and also just thank him for his consistent ongoing leadership and support for Metro.

I was proud to work closely with Mr. Wiedefeld, and with the union, and with commuter advocates.

I appreciate that very much, and I know riders will appreciate it as well.

Safety for riders and employees must remain Metro's No. 1 priority.

We have designed $10 million of the $50 operating subsidy for your office, to address the very point you make.

It just is essential that the person we are dealing with, you know, be above reproach.

The Federal Government is a free rider. It doesn't provide operating subsidies and everyone else has to basically underwrite Federal employees using metro.

I don't think we want to settle for that. We will get back to good but we want to get to excellent.

I would urge you to speak transparently.

This is not a theoretical question.