Durbin Statement on Amtrak Funding for 2006

Statement

DURBIN STATEMENT ON AMTRAK FUNDING FOR 2006

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) made the following statement today regarding measures taken to protect Amtrak services in the Senate passed Fiscal Year 2006 U.S. Department of Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill:

"This past week in the Senate, we succeeded in providing the funding necessary for Amtrak to operate in 2006, ensuring that the three Illinois intrastate lines serving 30 cities will continue to run. It's now up to a House-Senate conference to give final approval to Amtrak's $1.4 billion request. A majority of senators also defeated a measure that would have threatened to undermine Amtrak service and drive away passengers. An amendment to the Transportation Appropriations bill would have restricted Amtrak from spending any funds on food, baggage, sleeping car, and first class service. These services have a proven track record of providing substantial incentives for riders to purchase tickets. Of the 50 daily trains in and out of Chicago's Union Station, 16 have sleeping cars and nearly all have food service. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to shore up Amtrak operations and to help provide the rail system that so many Americans have come to rely on with the funding and the direction it needs."

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