EmpireBuilderFan1976
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- Joined
- Mar 7, 2006
- Messages
- 117
Back in June I wrote a letter to my congressman urging him to support full funding for Amtrak. I wasn't sure how he stood on the issue but the reply I received from him was very encouraging:
Thank you for your message in support of Amtrak. I share your support for passenger rail and appreciate hearing from you.
As you may know, the President's proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 included $900 million for Amtrak. This funding level was matched by the House Appropriations Committee which included $900 million for Amtrak in the FY 2007 Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, The Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill. During debate on the House floor, an amendment was adopted, which I supported, that will increase funding for Amtrak by $214 million to $1.114 billion. This is still less than what Amtrak needs to continue existing service and make necessary improvements, but the Senate has not yet approved its own FY 2007 Transportation Appropriations bill and additional funding could still be provided.
Since its inception in the 1970s, Amtrak has faced chronic under funding. Lack of adequate funding and the annual threat of elimination have conditioned Amtrak to focus more on survival than providing the best and most efficient service. The Department of Transportation's Inspector General and others have made it clear that Amtrak needs substantial investment to rehabilitate its infrastructure, while continuing to operate existing service. Years of under-funding have left Amtrak in poor financial and physical shape.
That's why I've cosponsored the Amtrak Reauthorization Act, H.R. 1630, which authorizes $2 billion per year for Amtrak. In addition, I'm a cosponsor of the Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century (RIDE-21), which authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue high speed rail infrastructure development bonds with tax benefits to the holders of the bonds. This legislation makes corridor development activities (including the acquisition of locomotives, rolling stock, track, and signal equipment) eligible for Federal assistance. The Senate has introduced similar legislation, S. 1516, which provides an average of $1.9 billion annually for Amtrak and authorizes $13 billion in bonds for capital improvements. Unfortunately, neither the House nor Senate bills have been considered by the full House or Senate. You can be sure, however, that I will continue to push for passage of this important legislation.
Congress provides subsidies for all other modes of transportation, including aviation and roads. Unfortunately, Congress typically distributes only a small portion of federal transportation funding to rail. In fiscal year 2005, the government provided approximately $34 billion for highways, $13 billion for aviation, and $1 billion for Amtrak. Rail should not be forced to be the only self sufficient mode of transportation. Amtrak will never live up to its potential if it is continually under funded.
Instead of targeting Amtrak for cuts, we should support and highlight Amtrak as a program that works. Most European nations heavily subsidize rail travel. This makes sense because rail travel keeps passengers out of their cars and off publicly funded roads, contributing to better air quality and reducing highway maintenance costs.
During the coming year, Congress will be faced with important decisions regarding the future of Amtrak and the continuation of passenger rail service. You can be assured that I'll continue to support federal assistance for Amtrak. Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please keep in touch.
Rep.Peter DeFazio
Fourth District, OREGON
Thank you for your message in support of Amtrak. I share your support for passenger rail and appreciate hearing from you.
As you may know, the President's proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 included $900 million for Amtrak. This funding level was matched by the House Appropriations Committee which included $900 million for Amtrak in the FY 2007 Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, The Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill. During debate on the House floor, an amendment was adopted, which I supported, that will increase funding for Amtrak by $214 million to $1.114 billion. This is still less than what Amtrak needs to continue existing service and make necessary improvements, but the Senate has not yet approved its own FY 2007 Transportation Appropriations bill and additional funding could still be provided.
Since its inception in the 1970s, Amtrak has faced chronic under funding. Lack of adequate funding and the annual threat of elimination have conditioned Amtrak to focus more on survival than providing the best and most efficient service. The Department of Transportation's Inspector General and others have made it clear that Amtrak needs substantial investment to rehabilitate its infrastructure, while continuing to operate existing service. Years of under-funding have left Amtrak in poor financial and physical shape.
That's why I've cosponsored the Amtrak Reauthorization Act, H.R. 1630, which authorizes $2 billion per year for Amtrak. In addition, I'm a cosponsor of the Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century (RIDE-21), which authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to issue high speed rail infrastructure development bonds with tax benefits to the holders of the bonds. This legislation makes corridor development activities (including the acquisition of locomotives, rolling stock, track, and signal equipment) eligible for Federal assistance. The Senate has introduced similar legislation, S. 1516, which provides an average of $1.9 billion annually for Amtrak and authorizes $13 billion in bonds for capital improvements. Unfortunately, neither the House nor Senate bills have been considered by the full House or Senate. You can be sure, however, that I will continue to push for passage of this important legislation.
Congress provides subsidies for all other modes of transportation, including aviation and roads. Unfortunately, Congress typically distributes only a small portion of federal transportation funding to rail. In fiscal year 2005, the government provided approximately $34 billion for highways, $13 billion for aviation, and $1 billion for Amtrak. Rail should not be forced to be the only self sufficient mode of transportation. Amtrak will never live up to its potential if it is continually under funded.
Instead of targeting Amtrak for cuts, we should support and highlight Amtrak as a program that works. Most European nations heavily subsidize rail travel. This makes sense because rail travel keeps passengers out of their cars and off publicly funded roads, contributing to better air quality and reducing highway maintenance costs.
During the coming year, Congress will be faced with important decisions regarding the future of Amtrak and the continuation of passenger rail service. You can be assured that I'll continue to support federal assistance for Amtrak. Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please keep in touch.
Rep.Peter DeFazio
Fourth District, OREGON
