John Thune: “I would like just a few minutes to address concerns I have as the lone representative from the State of South Dakota.…”

“I would like just a few minutes to address concerns I have as the lone representative from the State of South Dakota. South Dakota is one of six States that do not have intercity rail passenger service. As a result, I drafted an amendment to H.R. 2247, the Amtrak Reform and Privatization Act of 1997. I worked closely with the Gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Shuster, on the legislation that would have amended a provision contained in the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. I worked with my colleagues from other States not served by Amtrak, including Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. The amendment, though very narrow in scope, ran into jurisdictional concerns. Although it deals directly with transportation needs, the amendment actually makes a correction to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 relating to tax refunds for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation [Amtrak]. Put simply, the tax provision would provide Amtrak with access to $2.3 billion, contingent upon passage of the bill before us today. In addition to money for Amtrak, the law also would set aside a portion of the fund for non-Amtrak States.”