[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11679]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1991

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the majority 
leader, following consultation with the Republican leader, may proceed 
to the consideration of Calendar No. 404, S. 1991, the Amtrak 
authorization bill, at a time to be determined.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, again reserving the right to object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican leader.
  Mr. LOTT. This is legislation we need to consider. It needs to be 
considered in the full light of day with amendments in order. We did 
have a full consideration of the bill in the Commerce Committee with 
amendments offered. Some were adopted and some were rejected. I voted 
for the legislation.
  We need to move forward on the reform of Amtrak. We are in the 
process of putting additional money in Amtrak right now, and I support 
both the loan the administration is working out and perhaps additional 
money in the supplemental.
  Having said that, I do note also that we have to make tough choices. 
Do we want a national rail passenger system or not? If we do, we have 
to figure out what kind of reforms we can put in place that will save 
money or provide additional money; what lines are we going to keep open 
and keep running or not; if and how much we are going to have to pay 
for it.
  If the American people, through their Representatives and Senators, 
do not want to vote for additional funds, then that is one choice. I 
spoke passionately on the floor in 1997 when we passed Amtrak reform 
legislation. I made a commitment on this floor and to the American 
people that I supported this because I thought it could become self-
supporting. I was wrong. I have to admit that. Now the question is, Do 
we want to continue to have Amtrak or not? I think we should. I still 
think it is an important mode of transportation we should not 
sacrifice. But the Congress is going to have to come to terms with 
reform.
  There are some Senators who object to moving to it at this time. I 
believe specifically Senator McCain has indicated he has an objection 
to it. So while I do not agree with the objection, I do agree that the 
timing is such that we would not be able to give it full and 
appropriate consideration, in view of other issues to which we have 
already agreed to go. Therefore, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection has been heard.

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