[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 84 (Friday, June 21, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE ADMINISTRATION'S APPALLING PLAN TO DISMEMBER AMTRAK

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it was appalling yesterday to have the 
administration finally come forward with its plan for Amtrak. It is 
appalling that when the administration finally comes forward with its 
plan for Amtrak, it is basically to dismember the system, arguing 
somehow that Amtrak should be self-supporting.
  When this Congress and administration gave $5 billion to the airline 
industry, on top of the $11 billion for air traffic control, for an 
industry that has never shown a profit over its 75 years is a little 
bit disingenuous, to say the least.
  Amtrak plays a critical role in our transportation system. To 
dismember it now, to privatize a few profitable lines and then walk 
away from our commitment when we have never, never provided the money 
that was authorized originally, would be a sad day.
  Luckily, there is broad bipartisan support in this Congress. Over 162 
Members support the approach of the gentleman from New York (Chairman 
Quinn) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Clements), to fund it for this year. A majority of the Senate agrees. 
Hopefully, we will be able to step up where the administration is 
failing in nerve.

                          ____________________