Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007

TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THE JUDICIARY, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007

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Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, as cochair of the Passenger Rail Caucus, I urge you to support th LaTourette-Oberstar amendment to the FY07 Transportation, Treasury and HUD Appropriations bill. The amendment will increase funding for Amtrak to a total of $1.114 billion, an increase of $214 million.

The FY 2007 TTHUD appropriations bill provides only $900 million for Amtrak, $412 million less than the FY 2006 enacted level and $698 million less than Amtrak requested in order to continue operation and invest in capital. I am concerned that the current funding level in the bill would leave the rail system incapable of providing sufficient service to Amtrak's 25 million customers--many of whom are my constituents of the 8th Congressional District of Pennsylvania on the Northeast Corridor.

The Department of Transportation's Inspector General has stated that the status quo funding option for Amtrak is unsustainable. The Inspector General also stated that postponement of maintenance--especially on heavily traveled Northeast Corridor increases the risk of accident.

Today, as Americans are facing skyrocketing energy prices and increasingly overcrowded roads, it is crucial that we invest in our national passenger rail system.

I urge you to join us in preserving transportation options for our constituents and support the LaTourette-Oberstar

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