On the recordJuly 30, 2013
I must rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment. Madam Chair, as you know, one of the very important functions of this committee is oversight, ensuring agencies under our purview are efficiently and effectively managed. This bill provides Amtrak, the OIG, with $25.3 million for oversight studies and investigations into fraud, waste and abuse at Amtrak. Through these investigations, the Amtrak OIG has helped improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of Amtrak programs and operations. Amtrak OIG runs a program that has identified improper and overpayments to the tune of $85 million. Amtrak has collected some of this back, which has saved the taxpayer money. The bill's funding levels are not arbitrary, Madam Chair. We have scrubbed these accounts. We have held hearings and made recommendations on what must be funded. {time} 2215 I think this is an extremely important function that we have so that we can look at Amtrak. We're spending an awful lot of money with Amtrak. We need to have a strong Office of Inspector General to keep tabs on it. I think this is money well spent. I would certainly urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes appeared to have it.
