James M. Jeffords: “Today we move another step closer to preserving our Nation's passenger rail system. The desperate call for action…”

“Today we move another step closer to preserving our Nation's passenger rail system. The desperate call for action signals the importance of rail travel and the severe impacts a shutdown of Amtrak would have on the daily lives of millions of Americans. We live in a nation that prides itself on independence. For many Americans, their personal automobile grants them the ability to travel unincumbered for work and pleasure. But as we all know, this freedom is slowly ebbing as our Nation's highways and skies become more and more congested. Our roadways and runways are at capacity and growth opportunities are severely limited. A drive through and around any major American city today will leave most drivers frustrated by delays. This constant automobile congestion slows commerce, reduces worker productivity, and limits travel independence. In fact, highway congestion now costs the United States $100 billion annually, not including the economic and societal costs of increased pollution and wasted energy.”