Donald Payne Jr.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden in November 2021, provides $22 billion in funding to Amtrak through Fiscal Year 2026.

The $100 billion in funding for rail projects included in this monumental law is a game changer for communities nationwide.

What percentage of stations across the Amtrak network are currently ADA compliant?

This mode of transportation has guaranteed funding for multiple years. The value of this certainty is not to be understated.

For the first time, this mode of transportation has guaranteed funding for multiple years.

Amtrak must work to attract customers and revenue and operate as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.

Last month, we heard from the very profitable freight railroads and from their customers about their ongoing supply chain challenges.

The Northeast Corridor is unique as it is one of the few electrified rail corridors in the country.

And we have heard a lot about Amtrak not turning a profit today.

Can I, again, have your commitment in public that that space is reserved for that flyover to hit at pace so we can ensure that the one-seat-ride is successful on the Raritan Valley Line?

That is why I introduced the One-Seat-Ride Act, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of a one-seat-ride trip versus a transfer trip option during peak hours on New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley…

It took 17 years to get agreement there to restart service after Hurricane Katrina.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the Surface Transportation Board's (STB or Board) efforts over the past year.

Thanks in large part to this Committee's past efforts, Congress passed the STB Reauthorization Act of 2015.

These ideas are supported by rail customers and rail labor.

I support the important work that must be done to repair and support supply chains, but this work cannot come at the expense of health and safety of rail workers and vulnerable communities across the country.

NACD appreciates this subcommittee's leadership regarding the issue of rail supply chain issues.

Do you think that 7 days of paid sick leave for rail workers is a good industry standard?

We need to improve rail safety and rail service.

Sick leave is a right.

Freight rail workers deserve paid sick leave as well.

It is past time for some accountability.

Congress should strengthen and better define the existing federal common carrier obligation the railroads have to serve their customers.

We must correct this injustice. Rail workers doing essential work to keep our economy running should not be forced to choose between their health and a paycheck.

What is it about this workforce that they shouldn't be allowed to benefit what most Americans in the workforce do?