Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all Amtrak stations are supposed to be accessible by July 26 this year.

this could revitalize a domestic industry for manufacturing rail equipment and really help us focus on manufacturing jobs here in the country.

Efficient rail transportation in America ties our community together. It creates jobs and boosts the economy and reduces the prices of goods being shipped.

Well, as Senator Bond mentioned, we're talking about billions of dollars. Do you have a plan for how to get there?

In less than 2 years, the Federal Government has now committed $10.5 billion to intercity and high-speed rail.

I am delighted that after three votes and 3 full days of pressuring those on the other side of the aisle to allow us to at least begin debating this critical bill, it appears they have relented. Finally, it appears they are willing to…

Okay. Well, in order to decide which projects you're going to fund through this program, you're going to have to rely on forecasts of ridership levels and revenues and public benefits, projects costs.

Chairwoman, there is a new understanding across the world today, I think, that we are in a very different competitive environment for--not only the economy, but for energy for the future.

this subcommittee is a strong supporter of infrastructure spending. That's what we do, and we believe in it.

Well, they have structured their fleet plan so that it could support a domestic industry for manufacturing rail equipment by spreading the orders over a 30-year period.

It's about people's civil rights. And it's not going to get any easier in the next 5 years, so I'm going to continue to press you on this.

Well, you've requested a billion dollars. Can you tell us how much you expect to use for intercity projects and how much for high-speed rail corridors?

This subcommittee has seen too many budget requests from previous administrations that would have guaranteed the bankruptcy of Amtrak.

I'm glad the administration is not submitting budget requests that would guarantee the bankruptcy of Amtrak anymore.

yesterday afternoon, we attempted to bring a bill to the floor that finally holds Wall Street accountable. It is a bill that includes the strongest protection for consumers that has ever been enacted. It is an end to taxpayer bailouts, and…

Is there an increased penalty for contested violations?

OK. I appreciate that.

Well, is there any disincentive for operators to file?

Well, Mr. Chairman, this is a serious problem.

It was an overwhelming event, and I know that all the families here are suffering terribly.

I mean, it seems we have to fix that.

I want to express my sincere sympathy to all of the families that are here in this room, and, really, thousands across the country.

I want you to know this is something I intend to pursue.

We are now re-evaluating whether--when we have a national program--we should allow States to opt out of it, because it would no longer be a national program.

obviously, what we're doing is just delaying the safety of our mine workers.