On the recordJune 10, 2014
In Montana, transportation services like Amtrak and Essential Air Service are critical for the strength of our economy. Montanans rely on rural air service every day, and thousands of tourists ride Amtrak every year to visit Glacier National Park, an important economic driver in northwestern Montana. But proposed changes to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill place these programs in danger. We need to get our fiscal house in order, but we must do it responsibly, ensuring our rural communities aren't forced to bear the brunt of cuts that will harm their local economies. I will remain a strong advocate for these programs and encourage my colleagues to support and protect the critical services on which rural Americans rely. ____________________
