CLEVELAND, June 29 — An amendment offered by Representatives James Oberstar (D-MN) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH), which would fully fund Amtrak, passed today by a voice vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Last week, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee allocated only $550 million for Amtrak for FY 2006. The Oberstar-LaTourette amendment increases Amtrak’s funding level to $1.2 billion.
The amendment could be removed from the fiscal year 2006 Transportation, Treasury, HUD Appropriations bill (H.R. 3058) if any Member requests a recorded vote and that request is supported by at least one-fifth of a quorum of the House (44 members). The vote will then be taken by electronic device. If a majority of Members vote against the amendment, it can still fail.
“On behalf of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen and the entire Teamsters Rail Conference, I applaud Representatives Oberstar and LaTourette and all of Congress for their efforts to save Amtrak,” BLET National President Don Hahs said. “It’s a step in the right direction.”