Trent Lott: “I would be happy to offer clarification to the Chairman of the Amtrak authorizing Committee. As members know, we have…”

“I would be happy to offer clarification to the Chairman of the Amtrak authorizing Committee. As members know, we have spent significant congressional time working to develop comprehensive Amtrak reform and reauthorization legislation. As Members further know, I worked for 2 years on a bipartisan reform package in the 104th Congress. Senator Hutchison has picked up this legislation effort and has worked diligently to advance the process. However, we cannot justify new Federal subsidies for Amtrak unless we also fix the many impediments imposed by statute which prevent Amtrak from operating like a business. Comprehensive reforms in the areas of Amtrak operations, labor, and liability must be enacted if we are serious about addressing Amtrak's financial crisis. Amtrak cannot survive without these fundamental changes. Money alone will not address Amtrak's systemic problems.”