Amtrak’s request for a
$1.2 billion federal subsidy for the year that starts Tuesday was
rejected by a U.S. House committee, and some lawmakers said the
railroad will have to eliminate routes if that decision stands.
The House Appropriations Committee voted 35-25 against the
budget request, backed by Democrats on the panel. Republicans who
control the committee propose giving Amtrak $762 million until the
passenger railroad shows a commitment to reforms. The Republican
plan will be part of a $60 billion transportation-projects bill
that the committee may vote on as soon as Tuesday.
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“Amtrak should be held accountable for their failures,”
said Representative Harold Rogers, the Kentucky Republican who
chairs the committee’s transportation panel. Giving Amtrak
$1.2 billion “would reward that poor management,” he said.
The railroad’s request for the coming fiscal year is more
than double the $521 million subsidy it got for the current year.
Amtrak needed a $205 million bailout in July to avert a shutdown.
“There are going to be certain routes that are wiped out”
if the House proposal becomes law, said Representative David Obey
of Wisconsin, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee.
“I doubt that Amtrak can run on less than $1.2 billion,”
said Ross Capon, executive director of the National Association of
Railroad Passengers.
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
voted in July to give Amtrak its $1.2 billion request. If the
House and Senate pass different versions of bills containing the
Amtrak budget, those measures would have to be reconciled by a
conference committee. President George W. Bush then would have to
sign the final bill for it to become law.
Bloomberg News
