Senate Saves Amtrak From Bush Ax... Again
We were able to reverse the President’s cuts to Amtrak last year and we will fight until the end to make sure we do the same again this year." -- Senator Hillary Clinton on July 25, 2006
"This Administration time and time again has tried to starve Amtrak of the funding it needs to survive. Amtrak is more than just a train service. In New York, we count on Amtrak for jobs, economic growth, vacations, you name it. This is great news for New York and for the entire Country and we will continue to fight tooth and nail to preserve and strengthen our nation’s passenger rail system while making sure it is as secure as our airways." -- Senator Chuck Schumer on July 25, 2006
The senators were commenting on action last week by the Senate Appropriations Committee to include $1.4 billion for Amtrak in the 2006-07 budget, thereby restoring the drastic cuts pushed by President Bush.
The Bush Administration has long sought to cripple or entirely shut-downAmtrak services as is, despite millions of Americans who daily depend on Amtrak for transportation to work, school and family. And despite millions of Americans who have no other transportation options, due to disabliity, age or finances.
Amtrak provides intercity and cross-country service to more than 500 US destinations in 46 states on a 22,000-mile route system. 24 million passengers rode Amtrak last year, an all-time high and ridership has soared on all routes, from the northeast corridor, to the west, midwest and more.
Amtrak is far-more energy efficient and positive for the environment than cars, trucks and buses, and it's more cost-effective than the airline industry. And yet, President Bush wants to privatize rail services, and to provide services only to the most profitable routes, similar to air travel.
For more info on this vital issue, read Bush Budget Aims to Close Amtrak, Force Riders into Cars and Planes.
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Comments
This administration has time and time again tried to starve funding from many things. The only thing this administration cares about is oil, war, defense contracts, and stealing our civil rights. They sure do not care if people lose jobs. We could all starve to death and that would most likely be fine with them.
Sadly, it’s easy to arrive at that conclusion.
Thank you for your comment.
Amtrak is one of the last travel values average Americans can count on. Even though they are terrible for keeping to schedules, it’s a resource those with limited funds (including me)can count on.
Like most other countries, nationwide rail service clearly should be regarded more like a public service, akin to city bus services and other public transportation systems, than the for-profit airine industry (which has consistently received multi-billion-dollar bailouts from the federal government, due to lack of profits and operating inefficiencies).
The purpose of government is not to make money off taxpayers, but to provide services and protection to taxpayers using taxpayers’ own funds. We’re supposed to have a government of the people, by the people and FOR the people.