Photo by Amberture

Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted to cut Metro’s funding by $50 million, which would be used for safety upgrades, prompting outrage by several local politicians.

For the past six years, Metro has been funded $150 million by the federal government to be used for safety upgrades, as it has been authorized under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. That law also requires a dollar-for-dollar match of $50 million each from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

But this year’s budget is only for $100 million, and some local lawmakers aren’t happy.

“Reducing this funding breaks the 10-year federal commitment and jeopardizes the successful local, state and federal partnership,” D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said in a statement. “Millions of Americans—not just from the D.C. region, but from across the nation—depend on Metro, which is why Congress and the federal government have a responsibility to the operation, oversight, and safety of the system.”

Reps. Gerry Connolly (Va.-11), Steny Hoyer (Md.-5), Donna F. Edwards (Md.-4), John Sarbanes (Md.-3), John Delaney (Md.-6), Don Beyer (Va.-8), Barbara Comstock (Va.-10), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Norton in their frustration over the decision.

“We are deeply disappointed that the House of Representatives has chosen to cut $50 million from Metro and not fulfill the long-standing federal commitment critical to rider safety improvements,” they said in a joint statement. “We will work with our House and Senate colleagues to restore this vital funding for Metro safety upgrades as the appropriations process moves forward.”