Letter to Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, and Charles Schumer, Senate Minority Leader - Daines: We Must Support Amtrak Employees

Letter

Dear Leader McConnell and Leader Schumer,
As discussions continue with regard to a continuing resolution, I write to highlight the
importance of Amtrak's long distance routes, and in particular the Empire Builder. Continuous,
reliable service is critical to the Hi-Line in Montana and I urge prohibitions on service and staff
reductions for these essential routes be included in any government funding bill that comes
before the Senate.
Amtrak's plan to cut staff by twenty percent, and reduce service on the Empire Builder from
daily to tri-weekly on October 19, would decimate rural economies in Montana and leave tens of
thousands without daily access to the national transportation network. The Empire Builder
provides rural Montanans a safe and reliable mode of transportation to and from major cities,
giving them greater access to necessities such as world class healthcare. Additionally, it is
critical to our tourism economy, bringing thousands each year to visit our pristine wilderness and
National Parks. Further, the reductions in staff could leave thousands without a job in the midst
of a once in a generation pandemic.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and I look forward to working with you to find
a solution to this pending crisis.

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