[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 5, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H3131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         EXTEND SECTION 45G, THE SHORT LINE RAILROAD TAX CREDIT

  (Mr. LEE of New York asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. LEE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express the need 
for an extension to the section 45G short line railroad tax credit 
which expired at the end of 2009. The expiration of this tax credit 
means that railroads, such as Rochester & Southern in my district, have 
had to curtail much needed maintenance to their infrastructure. The 
expiration of this tax credit affects nearly 500 lines across the 
country.
  Originally enacted in 2004, section 45G ensures that the lighter 
density freight lines can invest enough in their infrastructure to stay 
connected to the national rail networks. With the discontinuation of 
this tax credit, railroads such as Rochester & Southern will be unable 
to do effective long-term capital planning.
  Having run a business myself, I know how difficult it can be for a 
company to plan and to invest when continued uncertainty exists in how 
their expenses will be offset. That's why we need to pass an extension 
of the section 45G tax credit now, so we can put people back to work 
and so we can provide stability for both the workers and the companies 
which manage the nearly 500 short line rails across this country.

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