United States Senate Committee on
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Press Releases
For Immediate Release
11/03/05
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Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act Added to Budget Reconciliation Bill in Senate
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it one last chance for the Senate to be heard on whether it wants a national passenger rail system, Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi today asked the Senate to adopt as an amendment to the budget reconciliation bill, the Amtrak reform bill he introduced in July. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 93-6.

“I know it is highly unusual to add an authorization bill to reconciliation, but time is running out,” said Lott, the chairman of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee. “Despite the Commerce Committee’s having reported out this bill in July, we have been unable to schedule it for the full Senate. Because the Administration has indicated it will not support any funding for Amtrak this fiscal year unless Congress enacts Amtrak reforms, it is imperative for the Congress to make its voice heard on Amtrak. Time is running out.

“Do we help support highways? Do we help the airlines? If we want a complete system of infrastructure and transportation, America needs to include rail as well. Do we want Amtrak to wither on the vine?”

The Amtrak reauthorization bill centers around three themes: reform and accountability, cost cutting, and creating funding options for the states.

“The amendment improves how Amtrak works and ensures that the taxpayers’ money is used more effectively,” Senator Lott said. “It cuts the Amtrak operating subsidy by 40 percent and creates a new rail capital grant program that states can use to start new inter-city passenger rail service. It requires Amtrak to develop much better financial systems and be held accountable for its use of federal funding.”
 
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November 2005 Press Releases  « October | December »   « 2004 | 2006 » 
 
17th -  Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Implement the U.S.-Russian Polar Bear Treaty
 
17th -  Commerce Committee Approves Federal Trade Commission Nominations
 
17th -  Senate Commerce Committee Approves SPY BLOCK Act
 
17th -  Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Advance Transportation Security
 
17th -  Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Amend the Age Restriction for Pilots
 
17th -  Commerce Committee Approves the Weather Modification Research and Technology Transfer Act of 2005
 
17th -  Commerce Committee Approves Extension of Aviation War Risk Insurance
 
17th -  Senate Commerce Committee Approves the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005
 
15th -  Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens Addresses U.S. Climate Change Science Program Workshop
 
15th -  Chairman Stevens Statement Upon Introduction of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2005
 
15th -  Chairman Stevens Introduces Legislation to Implement the U.S.-Russian Polar Bear Treaty
 
15th -  Chairman Stevens Statement Upon Introduction of the United States-Russia Polar Bear Conservation and Management Implementation Act of 2005
 
15th -  Co-Chairmen Stevens and Inouye Introduce the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2005
 
9th -  Chairman Stevens Introduces Legislation to Repeal Section 5 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act
 
9th -  Statement of U.S. Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi Regarding the Replacement of Amtrak President David Gunn
 
8th -  Commerce Committee Announces Open Forum on Decency
 
4th -  Senate Confirms Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of NASA
 
3rd -  current Press Release
 
3rd -  Senate Approves Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005
 
2nd -  Commerce Committee Approves Nominations
 
2nd -  Chairman Stevens Argues Against the Ensign Amendment to Reduce Converter Box Program Funds
 
2nd -  Senate Commerce Committee Approves the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005
 
2nd -  Chairman Stevens Speaks in Opposition to the McCain Amendment to Change the Digital Transition Hard Date
 
2nd -  Opening Statement of Senator Ted Stevens at Committee Mark-up of S.1063 and Nominees
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