[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H4686-H4687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  OPPOSING THE PRIVATIZATION OF AMTRAK

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose the privatization of 
Amtrak, which would threaten reliable, dependable, and accessible 
passenger rail service throughout the United States. I travel home 
every weekend on Amtrak to my district in New Jersey, and its service 
is an essential part of our region's economic vitality.
  Under the plan to privatize Amtrak, the essential service they 
provide to millions of passengers could be lost, and nearly 20,000 
Amtrak jobs could be eliminated. State-owned infrastructure that Amtrak 
currently maintains could be turned over to the already deficit-
burdened States to maintain. It is likely that station stops will be 
cut and that commuter rail services will bear increased costs. 
Additionally, freight railroads that currently use Amtrak-supported 
lines may face logistical problems if Amtrak becomes privatized.
  Under the proposal to privatize Amtrak, many important labor 
provisions will be eliminated. Future railroad employees will be exempt 
from disability, pension, retirement, and unemployment benefits. By 
removing future employees from these benefit systems, current and 
retired employees will be negatively affected, and railroads will face 
increased taxes to maintain the solvency of these systems.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose the privatization of Amtrak.

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