WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) along with U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), John Sarbanes (MD-03), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), John Delaney (MD-06), Don Beyer (VA-08), Anthony Brown (MD-04), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) introduced a joint resolution to establish the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. Once Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia take action on this legislation, the Congressional resolution serves as the final piece of creating the Commission. The lawmakers released the following joint statement:

“Recognizing that safety is of upmost importance to the Metro system, today we introduced a joint resolution to give Congressional consent to establish the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. Friday’s decision by the Federal Transit Administration to withhold transit funds from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia stresses the immediate need to quickly enact this legislation. This resolution highlights the willingness and readiness of Congress to work together to establish the Safety Commission, and we call on the Maryland and Virginia General Assemblies to follow action taken by the Council of the District of Columbia to enact this legislation without delay.”