[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 182 (Monday, December 9, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6536-H6537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMTRAK EXECUTIVE BONUS DISCLOSURE ACT
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 8689) to require Amtrak to publicly disclose
certain bonus compensation paid to Amtrak executives, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8689
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Amtrak Executive Bonus
Disclosure Act''.
SEC. 2. AMTRAK REPORTS AND AUDITS.
Section 24315(a) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``, and make available to the public on
the website of Amtrak,'' after ``submit to Congress''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) provide the annual base pay and any bonus
compensation paid to a member of the executive leadership
team (including the chief executive officer, president, and
officers) of Amtrak, including the criteria and metrics used
to determine any such bonus compensation; and''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Graves) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.
General Leave
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 8689.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Louisiana?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8689 was introduced by my good friend,
Representative Molinaro of New York. The bill is intended to ensure
annual bonuses awarded to Amtrak's top executives are made public at
the beginning of every calendar year.
Amtrak relies heavily on government subsidies, and during more than
50 years of existence, it has never made a profit. Nonetheless, Amtrak
executives have been awarded generous six-figure bonuses despite
financial losses and service issues.
The disclosure of such huge payouts rightfully outrages the public
and members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
We had a hearing on this many, many months ago where Amtrak officials
were unwilling to disclose some of the information we had requested.
This bill is a strong step toward transparency and accountability for
Amtrak executives and Amtrak's board of directors, which awards the
bonuses.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague Mr. Molinaro
for sponsoring this really important legislation.
I rise in support of the Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act. This
bill requires Amtrak to post the compensation of its executive
leadership team annually on the Amtrak website. Congress already
requires the Nation's intercity passenger railroads to submit this
information to Congress. This bill increases transparency by making
this information readily available to the public.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Molinaro), the sponsor of bill.
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I first extend my appreciation to Chairman
Sam Graves not only for leadership of the committee this last year but
also for working with us to move this piece of legislation.
Amtrak was certainly hesitant to disclose their bonuses that came
immediately after the COVID pandemic and the stress and stressors on
commuters, passengers, and employees. The fact that we had to work,
despite the significant taxpayer subsidies, to have them disclose this
information was obscene at best.
I, too, want to take a moment, though, since I have 5 minutes, to
express my appreciation and gratitude to
[[Page H6537]]
Representative Garret Graves as well. I truly join, I think, a chorus
of individuals who recognize not only his leadership but his diligence
and hard work on behalf of not only his constituents but certainly this
country as a whole. He certainly has made Congress just a little bit
better for the American people, and I am grateful for his friendship
and support.
I would note he is unofficially my mentor. I am not quite sure what
it is I have learned from him. Nevertheless, I have learned quite a
bit, and I am grateful for it.
I join him certainly today standing in support of my bill, the Amtrak
Executive Bonus Disclosure Act. This bill is rooted in basic
transparency and accountability.
As noted, in 2023, Amtrak awarded over $5 million in executive
bonuses despite a $1.7 billion loss and $11 billion in taxpayer
subsidies.
No business in the world, certainly not in this country, would extend
those kinds of bonuses with those kinds of losses, as I noted, in the
immediate aftermath of the COVID pandemic. These bonuses rightfully
sparked outrage not only from passengers and constituents but Members
of Congress and the hardworking employees who keep Amtrak running for
Americans.
Those employees are represented by unions who join in opposition.
They include SMART-TD and the Transport Workers Union, each calling
these payouts exorbitant and an affront to taxpayers. I think all of us
might have stronger words than that. TWU has not only endorsed the bill
but certainly wishes, on behalf of their employees, to see continued
expansion of transparency and accountability.
Overall, I oppose the bonuses. If we could claw them back, I would. I
am hopeful this legislation might demand the opportunity for the board
of directors to take a pause and be more respectful to taxpayers and
perhaps Congress to take action subsequent to their issuing these
bonuses.
Transparency should never be optional, certainly when it comes to
taxpayer-subsidized programming, especially when it comes to Amtrak and
the significant amount of public funds.
My bill seeks to ensure that Amtrak publicly discloses executive
bonuses annually, empowering taxpayers to see exactly where their money
goes.
This legislation puts passengers, workers, and taxpayers first. It is
simply about fairness, accountability, and earning back the public
trust.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, this bill will increase
transparency at Amtrak. I urge my colleagues to support this very
important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of
my time.
I normally would say thank you when folks give compliments. I am not
sure that would be sincere in this case.
Seriously, Mr. Speaker, if my friend from New York decided he was
going to take a $1.94 Uber ride because he was too lazy to walk a
block, he would have to disclose it. He would have to disclose it if he
spent public funds doing that.
The fact that we are talking about six-figure bonuses for Amtrak--
once again, public funds--not being publicly disclosed is simply
inexcusable.
We must ensure this legislation is enacted and this information be
made available. It is an important step toward increased transparency
at Amtrak. This legislation will make sure Amtrak publicly discloses
these salary bonuses given to Amtrak executives annually.
I do thank my good friend from New York (Mr. Molinaro) for his
service to this country. He has been incredibly helpful to us in the
Subcommittee on Aviation.
As you know, we passed a significant 1,000-page, 5-year aviation
authorization this year on a strong bipartisan basis. My friend from
New York was integral in putting that legislation together.
I really do appreciate his friendship and support, despite what he
says about me, over the last few years. I wish him well in his next
endeavors.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 8689, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend
title 49, United States Code, to require Amtrak to include information
on base pay and bonus compensation of certain Amtrak executives, and
for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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