Political Quotes

“let me thank my friend, the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar], for yielding me this time, and really congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Shuster] and the ranking member for bringing this legislation forward. As the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] pointed out, this has been a tough battle. We have had differences as to what the reform should look like and what should be included in it, and at jeopardy was the life of Amtrak. It has been a pleasure to work with my colleague, the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] on the legislation initially to provide for the authorization for the $2.3 billion, and to work with the committee. At stake in the passage of this bill literally is the light passenger rail service in the United States. That is important to all regions of this country. In the Northeast we are particularly concerned about the high-speed rail and the implementation of high-speed rail. This legislation provides for the necessary reform of Amtrak. The chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Mr. Shuster], and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar], have negotiated very well with the other body, with the administration, and have now brought forward legislation that can pass both bodies and be signed by the President. That is a major accomplishments and one just 24 hours ago many of us thought would not be possible. I really want to applaud the efforts of all involved.”