(The following report appeared on the Congressional Quarterly website on October 26.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate is headed for a vote early next week on legislation to reauthorize funding for Amtrak, with passage likely despite continued efforts by GOP critics to chip away at the passenger railroad’s routes and subsidies.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., filed a motion Friday to cut off debate on the measure, but he was optimistic that an agreement could be reached to skip that step and pass the bill as early as Tuesday.
The Senate already has turned back several attempts to open Amtrak’s routes to more competition and divest it of routes losing the most money. More amendments along these lines are expected next week.
The Senate also will have to consider a frontal assault on the whole notion of continuing federal subsidies for the passenger railroad. Existing law requires Amtrak to become self-sufficient, a mandate the bill would drop. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., is challenging that decision with an amendment.
Whether to retain the directive goes straight to the heart of the ideological divide over Amtrak: Is it a public necessity that deserves permanent federal support, or a business that should be driven by a profit motive? The second is the view held by the White House and many, but not all, Republicans.