Committee Approves Passenger Rail Reform Legislation

Press Release

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today approved bipartisan legislation that improves the infrastructure, reduces costs, leverages private sector resources, creates greater accountability and transparency, and accelerates project delivery for Amtrak and the Nation's passenger rail transportation system.

The Committee approved by voice vote the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2014, or PRRIA (H.R. 5449). The bill was introduced in the House by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA); T&I Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-WV); Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Denham (R-CA); and Subcommittee Ranking Member Corrine Brown (D-FL).

"This is a good reform bill that continues to move passenger rail and Amtrak toward more transparency, greater accountability, increased cost-effectiveness, and true businesslike operations," Shuster said.

"Our committee has come together to craft a bipartisan bill that will bring huge improvements to the way Amtrak operates," Denham said. "Americans in communities across the country each day rely on reliable, efficient passenger rail systems. PRRIA will enable those systems to modernize, improve, and grow to serve the needs of the American people."

The Committee also approved the following bills today, all by voice vote:

-H.R. 5448 -- John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2014

-H.R. 5266 -- To reauthorize the National Estuary Programs, and for other purposes

-H.R. 4926 -- To designate the "James L. Oberstar Memorial Highway" and the "James L. Oberstar National Scenic Byway" in the State of Minnesota

-H.R. 5146 -- To designate the United States courthouse located at 700 Grant Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the "Joseph F. Weis Jr. United States Courthouse"

In addition, the Committee approved 12 General Services Administration (GSA) resolutions that will result in over $225 million in taxpayer savings through space reductions, space consolidations, and avoided lease costs. To date this Congress, GSA resolutions approved by the Committee will result in $2.2 billion in savings to the taxpayers.

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