Happening Now

The Trump Budget Strikes Back! (UPDATE)

September 6, 2017

UPDATED: September 7th

In an unexpected move, Congress launched debate on a series of transportation amendments late last night, with NARP staff tracking movement on the House floor.

We're thrilled to report that a bipartisan coalition of House Transportation leadership took a strong stance in support of America's national rail network, and all anti-Amtrak amendments were defeated. The Trump Budget proposal to end long-distance trains has been turned back again!

NARP will spend today tallying the votes. For now, we can all take satisfaction in knowing that a summer of hard-fought advocacy has paid on in a strong, bipartisan coalition capable of turning back these kind of attacks!

Thank you for your support of passenger rail and our mission at NARP!

Jim Mathews, President & CEO | NARP

P.S. Please consider donating a special gift to NARP to help us continue these fights for a better, more connected passenger rail system -- for the present and for our children!

Vote counts:

Amendment #33 by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL): Ends Amtrak's National Network through the elimination of $1.1 billion in grant funding. [Defeated by a vote of 128 Yeas - 293 Nays]
Amendment #32 by Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC): Eliminates a $900 million allocation for the upgrade of an Amtrak rail line between Newark and New York City. [Defeated by a vote of 159 Yeas - 260 Nays]

Comments

"It is an honor to be recognized by the Rail Passengers Association for my efforts to strengthen and expand America’s passenger rail. Golden spikes were once used by railroads to mark the completion of important rail projects, so I am truly grateful to receive the Golden Spike Award as a way to mark the end of a career that I’ve spent fighting to invest in our country’s rail system. As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it has been my priority to bolster funding for Amtrak, increase and expand routes, look to the future by supporting high-speed projects, and improve safety, culminating in $66 billion in new funding in the Bipartisan infrastructure Law."

Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
March 30, 2022, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his years of dedication and commitment to passenger rail.