CLEVELAND, June 28 — H.R. 3058 — the fiscal year 2006 Transportation, Treasury, HUD Appropriations bill — is scheduled to be considered this week. Votes are expected to begin as early as tomorrow.
Last week, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee allocated only $550 million for Amtrak for FY 2006. This amount will shut down Amtrak on October 1, according to Amtrak President & CEO David L. Gunn and the DOT Inspector General, and cause havoc on our nation’s rail passenger system if something is not done.
However, an amendment is scheduled to be offered by Representatives James Oberstar (D-MN) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH), which would increase funding to $1.2 billion.
BLET members are asked to call Republican members of the House of Representatives today (toll-free at (888)355-3588), and ask them to vote in favor of the Oberstar/LaTourette appropriations amendment to fund $1.2 billion for Amtrak for fiscal year 2006.