Senator Lautenberg stresses the need for Congress to pass the Amtrak bill he authored before the end of the year. The House and Senate have already passed Amtrak bills with overwhelming bipartisan support, but the conference between both houses to clear up minor differences in the bills is being blocked from proceeding by a small minority in the Senate. Lautenberg’s bill would increase funding for Amtrak over the next six years, put it on stronger financial ground and open new areas to rail service. With Senator Lautenberg in the photo are Senators Tom Carper (D-DE; far left), John Kerry (D-MA) and business leaders from across the Northeast. (September 10, 2008)