Wayne Allard: “The section I am repealing puts in some guidelines, and it is not date specific but it says that the goal of Amtrak…”

“The section I am repealing puts in some guidelines, and it is not date specific but it says that the goal of Amtrak should be to become self-sufficient; in other words, work toward less subsidies from the Federal Government. For some reason or other that was taken out by the committee staff. It is appropriate we continue to keep that in law instead of repealing it. Since they are not driven by competitiveness within the fixed rail system, I encourage them to note that the Congress expects them to work for efficiency and to repeal it. I recall in Boston, for example, we had a situation where Amtrak runs through Boston and is part of their mass transit system. So a committee chair looked at a contract they let out for the Boston fixed rail. It was the most expensive contract, providing the least service to the passengers. This kind of provision is an incentive. It gives Members of Congress a way of expressing to Amtrak that we hope that they work for an efficient, effective system. I don't think it is particularly Draconian; at least I do not view it that way.”