Congress Refuses Washington, D.C., Subway System’s Plea for More Funds

 House Republicans told the leaders of the capital’s beleaguered subway system on Wednesday that they would not “bail you out,” soundly rejecting pleas for more federal funds to support it.

 
Instead, members of two House subcommittees responsible for oversight of the system, known as Metro, instructed its leaders to make significant organizational reforms and physical repairs before asking for more money.
 
“I’m not here to make up for bad management. I’m not here to make up for a poor safety record. I’m not here to make up for a lack of action,” said Representative John L. Mica, Republican of Florida, who leads one of the subcommittees, amid a sharp exchange with Metro’s chairman, Jack Evans.
 
“You are dealing with people who are broke,” Mr. Mica said, referring to the federal government. “I am not going to bail you out.”
 
The declaration came as lawmakers questioned the agency’s leaders and federal safety oversight officials on a wide range of safety and management concerns brought to the forefront by an unexpected closure of the system last month for an emergency inspection.