Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-Va. (10th CD), issued the following news release:

Members of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) will no longer be able to serve past the end of their term and all can now be replaced for "cause" under legislation expected to be approved in the House later this week, according to Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th)

The final version of the spending bill that funds the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) also increases the size of the board from 13 to 17. Virginia gets two new appointments while Maryland and the District of Columbia each get one additional board member.

The changes are included in the conference report for the so-called "minibus" spending measure to fund the departments of transportation, agriculture, commerce, justice and federal science agencies, including NASA. The report was posted online last night. Under the rules of the House, the measure cannot be voted on before Thursday. The Senate is expected to vote on the package on Friday. Conference reports cannot be amended.

Wolf pushed for the changes after growing increasingly frustrated by the board, which governs Dulles International and Reagan National airports and is responsible for extending Metrorail to Loudoun County. Earlier this year, Wolf called for a comprehensive review of MWAA's operations by DOT's Inspector General. The report is expected to be completed by spring.

"These airports are the economic engine for the region and with MWAA responsible for the Dulles rail project, ensuring that Virginia has more say and that board members are current and more accountable is more important than ever," Wolf said. "Everything possible must be done to keep the rail project on budget to keep the tolls as low as possible."

Until now, board members served until their replacement takes office. Wolf cited an incident earlier this year where a board member whose term expired in January 2009 and had not been replaced was voting by proxy from Africa. He was finally replaced in April.

Wolf also pointed out that a replacement has yet to be named for a board member whose term expired in May 2010. A third board member's term ends at the end of November and it is unclear if the replacement process has begun.

"Board members need to be replaced when their terms end," Wolf said. "It's not their fault that they aren't being replaced but if the officials making the appointments know that the seat is going to be vacant, maybe there will be more of an incentive to make appointments in a more timely fashion."

The removal language will give the governors of Virginia and Maryland and the mayor of the District of Columbia the same authority as the president under existing law to replace members of the board.

All of the changes included in the bill were supported by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, Wolf said.

Contact: Dan Scandling, 202/225-5136

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