Feder: Wolf Has Some Explaining to Do on Rail to Dulles!

From the Feder for Congress cmapaign...

FTA Rejects Rail to Dulles

Wolf Fails to Deliver on Transportation Project He Once Called

“The only bright hope for the region.”

McLean, VA — With the news this morning that rail to Dulles is all but dead [Washington Post, Dulles Rail Project All but Dead, January 25, 2008], Congressman Frank Wolf will have some explaining to do to the residents of Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.

“Frank Wolf has claimed that Rail to Dulles was his top priority and that he was working hard to get it done. In November of last year, just two months ago, Congressman Wolf claimed: ‘after years and years of talk, this project is on the brink of reality,’” said Judy Feder. “Now because of Wolf’s lack of leadership it’s instead on the brink of extinction. People in the 10th district deserve better than that.”

The rail to Dulles project—Congressman Wolf’s signature transportation project—was expected to bring relief to the region’s roads and help alleviate traffic congestion. The failure of the project comes as a shock to constituents in the 10th District who believed Congressman Wolf’s promise that the project—in his words, “the only bright hope for the region”— was indeed “on the brink of reality.” Rail to Dulles was the #1 transportation priority for northern Virginia. Wolf himself has said, “We need rail. Without rail there is no hope.” The project’s rejection will only add to the transportation woes in northern Virginia.

“For 27 years, Wolf has focused almost exclusively on transportation,” said Feder. “What do we have to show for it? Real leadership means more than just synchronizing traffic lights. The transportation mess in northern Virginia has grown worse and now the top transportation priority for the region has been scuttled while Congressman Wolf stood idly by.”

Judy Feder laid out several priorities for getting the rail to Dulles project back on track:

* Full consideration of the Tysons Tunnel option. The below-ground option creates the potential for Tysons Corner to be a vibrant mixed-use development while providing economic and environmental benefits for the community at large.
* A transparent and open process – subject to public input and scrutiny.
* Competitive bidding to provide the best value for taxpayer dollars – no more sweetheart deals for Bechtel.

“When it comes to fixing our transportation problems in northern Virginia, I won’t take No for an answer. Congressman Frank Wolf’s failure on this key issue is a clear signal that he’s been in Congress too long and it’s time for a change. Northern Virginia needs a new voice in Congress working to solve our transportation problems.”

In 2006, Judy Feder mounted the strongest challenge to Frank Wolf in nearly a quarter century, waging a vigorous campaign and raising an unprecedented $1.6 million. Though Feder entered the 2006 race a mere 10 months before Election Day, she cut Wolf's margin of victory dramatically from 2004, revealing growing discontent with the longtime incumbent. Feder begins her 2008 rematch with Wolf as one of only a handful of challengers nationwide to have more cash on hand than an incumbent Member of Congress.