CLEVELAND, November 3 — An amendment giving long term funding to Amtrak has passed in the U.S. Senate. Amendment 2360 to S. 1932, Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005, passed by a margin of 93-6 today. S. 1932 is still being considered by the Senate.
The amendment was introduced by Senators Trent Lott (R-MS) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) on November 2. The amendment is the same as S. 1516, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2005.
“This is an important step to securing long-term funding for our nation’s passenger rail system,” BLET National President Don M. Hahs said. “I would like to thank the 93 members of the Senate who voted in favor of this important legislation. They have shown that there is wide bipartisan support for Amtrak, and stood up against the Bush administration, which is determined to bankrupt the carrier.”
The following Senators voted against the amendment: James DeMint (R-SC); John Ensign (R-NV); Judd Gregg (R-NH); Jeff Sessions (R-AL); John Sununu (R-NH); and George Voinovich (R-OH). Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ) was absent.