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Press release from Senator Trent Lott's office:
11/3/05
SENATOR LOTT'S AMTRAK REFORM BILL ADOPTED BY SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it one last chance for the Senate to be
heard on whether it wants a national passenger rail system, Senator
Trent Lott of Mississippi today asked the Senate to adopt as an
amendment to the budget reconciliation bill, the Amtrak reform bill he
introduced in July. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 93-6.
"I know it is highly unusual to add an authorization bill to reconciliation, but time is running out," said Lott, the chairman of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine subcommittee. "Despite the Commerce Committee’s having reported out this bill in July, we have been unable to schedule it for the full Senate. Because the administration has indicated it will not support any funding for Amtrak this fiscal year unless Congress enacts Amtrak reforms, it is imperative for the Congress to make its voice heard on Amtrak. Time is running out.
"Do we help support highways? Do we help the airlines? If we want a
complete system of infrastructure and transportation, America needs to include rail as well. Do we want Amtrak to wither on the vine?"
The Amtrak reauthorization bill centers around three themes: reform and accountability, cost cutting, and creating funding options for the
states.
"The amendment improves how Amtrak works and ensures that the
taxpayers’ money is used more effectively," Senator Lott said. "It cuts
the Amtrak operating subsidy by 40 percent and creates a new rail
capital grant program that states can use to start new inter-city
passenger rail service. It requires Amtrak to develop much better
financial systems and be held accountable for its use of federal funding."
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11/3/05
SENATOR LOTT'S AMTRAK REFORM BILL ADOPTED BY SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it one last chance for the Senate to be
heard on whether it wants a national passenger rail system, Senator
Trent Lott of Mississippi today asked the Senate to adopt as an
amendment to the budget reconciliation bill, the Amtrak reform bill he
introduced in July. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 93-6.
"I know it is highly unusual to add an authorization bill to reconciliation, but time is running out," said Lott, the chairman of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine subcommittee. "Despite the Commerce Committee’s having reported out this bill in July, we have been unable to schedule it for the full Senate. Because the administration has indicated it will not support any funding for Amtrak this fiscal year unless Congress enacts Amtrak reforms, it is imperative for the Congress to make its voice heard on Amtrak. Time is running out.
"Do we help support highways? Do we help the airlines? If we want a
complete system of infrastructure and transportation, America needs to include rail as well. Do we want Amtrak to wither on the vine?"
The Amtrak reauthorization bill centers around three themes: reform and accountability, cost cutting, and creating funding options for the
states.
"The amendment improves how Amtrak works and ensures that the
taxpayers’ money is used more effectively," Senator Lott said. "It cuts
the Amtrak operating subsidy by 40 percent and creates a new rail
capital grant program that states can use to start new inter-city
passenger rail service. It requires Amtrak to develop much better
financial systems and be held accountable for its use of federal funding."
###
