TRANSPORTATION BILL INCLUDES LANGUAGE TO INCREASE VIRGINIA'S REPRESENTATION ON MWAA BOARD

September 9, 2011

Washington, D.C. - Language increasing Virginia's representation on the board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) from five members to nine is included in the annual spending bill working its way through Congress that funds the Department of Transportation, according to Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th).

Wolf said the bill he introduced in May changing the makeup of the MWAA board has been folded into the FY 2012 Transportation Appropriations bill approved by the House Transportation Appropriations subcommittee last night. The measure now goes to the full House Appropriations committee.

The language would expand MWAA's board to 17 members, with all four of the new seats going to Virginia. Maryland would continue to have two members and the District of Columbia three. There are also three presidential appointees on the board.

The bill also would allow the governors of Virginia and Maryland, the mayor of the District of Columbia and the president to remove MWAA board members even if appointed by their predecessor. In addition, there is language in the bill to ensure board members leave when their terms expire instead of the current practice of serving until a replacement is appointed.

Earlier this year, Wolf asked the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Transportation to audit the Dulles Metrorail project. The audit is under way.