[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11975]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN OPPOSITION TO CUTS TO HIGH SPEED RAIL FUNDING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 25, 2011

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my opposition to the cuts to 
high-speed rail included in H.R. 2354, the Fiscal Year 2012 Energy and 
Water Development Appropriations bill.
  At a time when this Congress should be focused on creating jobs, 
investing in our infrastructure, and supporting transportation 
alternatives, the bill before us unfortunately includes a provision to 
cut funding for high-speed rail. These cuts are both harmful and short-
sighted, and will limit key opportunities for job growth and economic 
development throughout our nation.
  According to a recent study from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 
building high-speed rail networks in the U.S. will have a significant 
positive economic impact. The study shows that in the four urban areas 
surveyed, high-speed rail could add $19 billion in new business 
development and 150,000 jobs. We should not be turning our backs on 
this historic opportunity.
  It is clear: investing in rail, whether it is high-speed, or inter-
city, has the potential to create desperately-needed jobs in 
communities around the country. Case in point: in October last year, a 
contract awarded to the Siemens Transportation Systems manufacturing 
plant in my district of Sacramento, California to build 70 new electric 
trains for Amtrak is creating 200 local jobs--not to mention that they 
employ approximately 64,000 people throughout the country. Not only is 
Siemens creating jobs, but they are also building a high-quality 
product that will make train travel more efficient and environmentally 
friendly. These trains are built in an environmentally-friendly way, 
using solar energy developed on site.
  In Sacramento, rail is not just a part of our history, it is our 
future.
  In April, we broke ground on a track relocation project that will not 
only improve safety and efficiency, but will pave the way for the 
development of both an intermodal transportation facility and future 
economic growth in our downtown. This project is creating 350 jobs 
onsite, and 1,100 jobs in total. It will also make room for high-speed 
rail.
  What is happening in Sacramento is a snapshot of the interest in rail 
statewide. The voters in my home state of California have approved 
plans to build a high-speed rail network that will eventually link 
Sacramento to San Diego, and communities throughout the state. This 
high-speed rail line will create jobs, provide viable transportation 
options to residents and visitors alike, and reduce our dependence on 
foreign oil.
  But as forward-thinking as California is, progress will be held back 
if the provisions to cut high-speed rail funding are included in the 
final version of this bill.
  In my district alone, we would lose millions of dollars intended for 
rail projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 
This rescission would result in the loss of many jobs and endanger the 
necessary safety and efficiency improvements need for the tracks 
between Sacramento and Davis.
  I think we can all agree that now is not the time to remove 
opportunities for improved job growth and economic recovery. Yet, my 
Republican colleagues are doing just that by including the elimination 
of funding for high-speed rail in this bill.
  It is my hope that the Senate approves a final bill that restores 
this funding, and that the President signs into law a bill that 
appropriately invests in our infrastructure: levees and rail alike.

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