Lincoln Chafee: “I am pleased the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved full funding for Amtrak operations, capital support, and…”

“I am pleased the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved full funding for Amtrak operations, capital support, and the Northeast Corridor Improvement Program. I regret this amendment to cut funding for Amtrak by $173 million is being offered. Amtrak, as has been pointed out, provides service for millions of Americans, a competitive service at a competitive price. Through a modern nationwide passenger rail system, traffic congestion, and air pollution are reduced by this fuel-efficient alternative to highway and air travel. I certainly recognize that Amtrak cannot survive much longer as a viable entity in its current financial condition. Many of us are familiar with the oft-cited GAO report documenting the widening gap between Amtrak's revenues and expenses since the beginning of this decade. For the past 2 years, the question facing Congress is, what should we do about Amtrak? I do not think anyone believes that simply increasing or even continuing in perpetuity Amtrak's annual subsidy are wise solutions. Instead, a better solution has been proposed. This solution, partially embodied within the Amtrak authorization bill, will enable Amtrak to operate as much like a private business as possible. Separate legislation, which constitutes the second part of this proposal, would redirect one-half cent of the Federal gas tax to a new passenger rail trust fund similar to those existing for highway and air travel.”