Political Quotes

“This amendment would reduce Amtrak's Office of the Inspector General by $1 million and increase the spending reduction account by that same amount. {time} 2115 This reduction would eliminate a proposed increase to that account, keeping the funding level just like it is today for the coming year. I spoke about Amtrak's failings at length during the consideration of the first title of this bill. Amtrak consistently runs at a massive operating deficit. The long- distance routes are continually in the red, and the food and beverage service only nets a 65 percent return on what it spends despite paying its staff six-figure salaries, which is way above what the average American can expect to make in salary. My colleagues who support Amtrak--and maybe even some who don't--will likely say that, if any part of this embattled entity deserves more funding, it is the inspector general. And, yes, the Office of the Inspector General has rooted out some fraud, and it has discovered some significant overpayments, but, Mr. Chairman, I would submit that health benefits fraud and overpayments are things that are just the tip of a very large and very obvious iceberg. It is not some great mystery why Amtrak is hemorrhaging money. The long-distance routes lose incredible amounts of money, and taxpayers are being bilked for this tremendous amount of loss.…”