Happening Now
Ask Senators to Support Two Important Transportation Bills
June 25, 2015
The Senate moved two critical transportation bills today, and we need America’s passengers to rally support for Congressional leaders who are working to strengthen investment in Amtrak.
The Senate Commerce Committee unanimously passed an exciting passenger rail authorization bill—the multiyear framework that provides the structure for Amtrak's existence and intercity rail investment. You can read about what this bill would mean for a strong national network on the NARP Blog.
Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a $55.7 billion FY2016 Transportation & Housing Appropriations bill, which provides the yearly operating and capital budgets for Amtrak, transit, highway, and air transportation. That bill is a big improvement over the House Appropriations Committee’s efforts to slash Amtrak funding by $262 million—but we can make it better! The Appropriations Committee voted down an amendment offered by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) to increase funding to match Amtrak's F Y2016 budget request of $2 billion.
Write your Senators now to ask them to support this sensible plan for supporting America's national network!
"It is an honor to be recognized by the Rail Passengers Association for my efforts to strengthen and expand America’s passenger rail. Golden spikes were once used by railroads to mark the completion of important rail projects, so I am truly grateful to receive the Golden Spike Award as a way to mark the end of a career that I’ve spent fighting to invest in our country’s rail system. As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it has been my priority to bolster funding for Amtrak, increase and expand routes, look to the future by supporting high-speed projects, and improve safety, culminating in $66 billion in new funding in the Bipartisan infrastructure Law."
Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
March 30, 2022, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his years of dedication and commitment to passenger rail.
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