Schumer Renews Call For Full Funding Of Amtrak In 110th Congress
Schumer Renews Call For Full Funding Of Amtrak In 110th Congress
Today, Senator Charles E. Schumer sent a letter, signed by a bi-partisan group of senators, to the heads of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee asking that Amtrak be fully funded this year. Specifically, Schumer asked that Amtrak receive at least $1.4 billion for Fiscal Year 2007. Schumer, who has led the fight to save Amtrak from Administration budget cuts, said that the new Democratic Congress will fight to ensure that Amtrak receives the funding it needs to survive and grow.
"It's time to stop playing games with Amtrak and instead put it on a path to growth," Schumer said. "The power outages and accidents we are seeing are a direct result of budget cuts and poor leadership. Amtrak is more than just a train service. In New York, we count on Amtrak for jobs, economic growth, vacations, you name it. I will continue to fight to ensure that Amtrak receives all the funding it needs to keep New Yorkers moving on the rails quickly and safely."
Since most of the appropriations bills are currently stalled, including the Transportation Appropriations Bill that funds Amtrak, Congress will most likely pass a Continuing Resolution to ensure government agencies receive enough funding to continue to operate through Fiscal Year 2007. Under the current Continuing Resolution, Amtrak is funded at $1.14 billion, which was the amount recommended by the House of Representatives for FY 2007. This represents a significant and unacceptable reduction from $1.293 billion last year - nearly a 14% cut. If enacted, the cut would hamper progress of Amtrak's ongoing capital programs and would likely lead to employee reductions.
In his letter, Schumer asked that the Continuing Resolution include at least $1.4 billion, the level passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee for FY 2007. Schumer emphasized that if federal support for Amtrak was eliminated; the regional economy would be crippled, considering the service is a vital economic artery, connecting New York City and the Capital Region. Amtrak employs 500 workers both at Rensselaer station and at the local maintenance facility. The Albany-Rensselaer station consistently ranks in the top fifteen busiest passenger stations in the country.
http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=268074&&year=2007&