Schumer, Clinton Welcome Key Senate Panel Decision to Save Amtrak
Schumer, Clinton Welcome Key Senate Panel Decision to Save Amtrak
Fiscal Year 2007 Transportation Appropriations Bill Restores Vital Operating Funds for Nation's Rail Service
Washington, DC - Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed the decision by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week to provide $1.4 billion in funding for Amtrak the coming fiscal year. The funding, included in the Fiscal Year 2007 Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, restores the drastic cuts imposed by the President's Budget and provides vital operating funds for the rail service that is critical to so many New Yorkers. The President's Budget had called for only $900 million for Amtrak - representing a 30% cut. Congress overwhelmingly rejected similar cuts last year.
"This Administration time and time again has tried to starve Amtrak of the funding it needs to survive," said Senator Schumer. "Amtrak is more than just a train service. In New York, we count on Amtrak for jobs, economic growth, vacations, you name it. This is great news for New York and for the entire Country and we will continue to fight tooth and nail to preserve and strengthen our nation's passenger rail system while making sure it is as secure as our airways."
"Every year we go in to fight for Amtrak's survival and every year the President tries to bankrupt this essential transportation service. New Yorkers can tell you how important Amtrak is to them, reaching many parts of the state that are far from commercial air service and connecting them with the rest of the state and the nation for an affordable price. We were able to reverse the President's cuts to Amtrak last year and we will fight until the end to make sure we do the same again this year," Senator Clinton said.
The funds approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee will contribute over $1.4 billion towards Amtrak's operating budget, which will enable the Northeast Corridor, and all of Amtrak, to make critical repairs and improvements.
Last year, Senators Schumer and Clinton fought to reverse similar cuts proposed by the Bush Administration.
http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=259447&&