Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 192) to amend title 49, United States Code, to require Amtrak to include information on base pay and bonus compensation of certain Amtrak executives, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 192

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act''. SEC. 2. AMTRAK REPORTS AND AUDITS.

Section 24315(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by inserting ``, and make available to the public on the website of Amtrak,'' after ``submit to Congress''; and

(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

``(2) provide the annual base pay and any bonus compensation paid to a member of the executive leadership team (including the chief executive officer, president, and officers) of Amtrak, including the criteria and metrics used to determine any such bonus compensation; and''.

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Mr. GRAVES. 192.

H.R. 192 was introduced by Representative Rouzer, and I am very proud to be a cosponsor on this bill. The bill is intended to ensure that annual bonuses awarded to Amtrak's top executives are made public at the beginning of every calendar year.

Amtrak relies heavily on government subsidies, and during more than 50 years of existence, it has never made a profit. Nonetheless, Amtrak executives have been awarded generous six-figure bonuses despite financial losses and service issues.

The disclosure of such huge payouts rightfully outrages the public and members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This bill is a strong step toward transparency and accountability for Amtrak executives and Amtrak's board of directors, which awards the bonuses.

I very much appreciate the gentleman from North Carolina Representative Rouzer's work on this legislation, and I would urge adoption by the House.
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Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 192 provides the necessary transparency for Amtrak. This legislation passed the House last Congress under suspension of the rules by voice vote, and I look forward to it passing again today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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