[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25719]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     FAIR COMPETITIVE BID PROCEDURE

  Mr. BROWNBACK. The House passed FY04 Transportation bill contains a 
provision to assist the States in initiating a Fair Competitive Bid 
Procedure for State-assisted intercity rail passenger operations. The 
objective of the provision is to allow States the option of providing 
competitive intercity passenger rail. The House provision provides 
limited funding that will permit the Secretary of Transportation to 
initiate a new Fair Competitive Bid Procedure that the States can 
utilize. The Secretary will then monitor the progress of this 
demonstration and make monthly reports to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations.
  I believe this is an excellent idea and was considering offering a 
similar amendment to this bill. However, I do not wish to delay the 
proceeding today, and this is already an item to be considered in 
conference.
  I would like to know if the chairman has an opinion on the House 
State-assisted intercity rail service provision.
  Mr. SHELBY. I share my colleague's support of a procedure that will 
encourage the States to initiate passenger service through a 
competitive bid process. I believe it is important that Congress 
examine whether a competitive process can preserve and expand intercity 
rail passenger service at reasonable prices. I pledge to the Senator 
from Kansas that I will work with the House conferees to pursue a 
provision that would introduce a uniform procedure to allow the States 
the option of providing competitive rail passenger service.
  Mr. BROWNBACK. I thank the distinguished chairman and look forward to 
working with him on a fair bid proposal.

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