Nancy L. Johnson: “Mr. Chairman, Amtrak is an essential part of our National Transportation System, providing 22 million inner-city…”

“Mr. Chairman, Amtrak is an essential part of our National Transportation System, providing 22 million inner-city passenger trips per year with over 500 destinations in 45 States. Last year the Congress and the administration agreed that Amtrak must reduce its reliance on Federal funding. The budget resolution and the authorization directed Amtrak to operate without Federal funding support by the year 2002. However, as you are aware, the funding recommendations in this bill are below the authorization levels that is in the budget resolution and the level Amtrak says it needs to stay on the path to operating self-sufficiency. Between 1995 and 1997, Amtrak received $1.2 billion less than their proposed transition plan called for. Unfortunately, next year's capital funding level is again drastically cut and inadequate to sustain Amtrak's capital expenditures. To facilitate Amtrak's transition off Federal assistance I have introduced H.R. 2789, creating a dedicated funding source for Amtrak which would allow it to make the necessary capital infrastructure investments during this period of transition. H.R. 2789 does not create a new tax, does not increase the deficit, and does not cut any other programs. With an estimated $4 billion needed for capital improvements, H.R. 2789 will allow Amtrak to improve its rolling stock, upgrade its maintenance facilities and prevent the deterioration of track and signal equipment.”