Chris Sununu: “I wish to conclude first by responding to some of the remarks and the observations made by the Senator from Mississippi.…”

“I wish to conclude first by responding to some of the remarks and the observations made by the Senator from Mississippi. First, there was mention of the Crescent, which is one of the 15 long-distance trains. Under the 2004 Inspector General's audit, the Crescent lost $114 per passenger in coach class. At that rate, they would not be affected in 2008 by this amendment. They would not be affected in 2009 by this amendment, or 2010 or 2011. They might be affected in 2012 if they have failed to improve any performance on the basis of cost over a 4-year period. I don't think that is Draconian. I don't think that is too much to ask. I hope the Senator from Mississippi and others will support that kind of improvement in performance, and I think it can be achieved. To that point, the Senator from Mississippi said: We need to do better; we need to have a plan for doing better. From what I have heard, he and many others believe this bill is the plan to do better, and I think in many parts it is a plan to do better. I support that concept.”