Chris Sununu: “I do think it has some real weaknesses. Both Senators Lott and Lautenberg touched on some of those weaknesses in their…”

“I do think it has some real weaknesses. Both Senators Lott and Lautenberg touched on some of those weaknesses in their opening remarks--that at times Amtrak has not delivered the kind of quality service we would expect; at times they have not delivered, year after year, the kind of financial results we would hope for and expect as taxpayers who are providing the subsidies and the support for Amtrak. Since its creation well over 25 years ago, the Federal subsidies have amounted to over $20 billion. Amtrak was originally created with the intention of becoming self-sufficient. There was an Amtrak reform bill passed in 1997, recommitting to this goal, and yet it still has not happened. As a taxpayer and as a Senator, it causes me great concern we have not done better--better both in terms of performance on the service and the quality side--but also on the financial side.”