The Train Riders' Association of California (
TRAC) is keeping an eye on Amtrak funding in the Omnibus Transportation bill, looking for opportunities to go beyond the White House-proposed "shutdown level" funding for America's passenger rail system. An alert I just received passes on a National Association of Rail Passengers (
NARP) alert with a simple yet urgent
call to action that I'm endorsing, and asking fellow Kosmopolitans to join me in citizen lobbying of your Representative: Support the bipartisan
LaTourette-Oberstar amendment to the transportation appropriations bill, and
vote no on amendments that reduce funding or micro-manage our rail system.
So why should you make a quick call to save Amtrak? Talking points and background below the line.
UPDATE: On a roll call vote of 266-158, with 71 Republicans voting yes, the House approved the LaTourette-Oberstar Amtrak amendment, which increases Amtrak funding from $900 million to $1.114 billion.
I'll leave this diary up to preserve comments and provide a place for discussion on this topic.
TRAC (channeling NARP) wrote (before the amendment passed):
The House now expects to debate its transportation appropriations bill Wednesday and Thursday, with votes on amendments on Friday (June 16).
Urge your representative to vote YES on the bipartisan, LaTourette-Oberstar amendment which would increase Amtrak funding to $1.114 billion (from the shutdown figure of $900 million now in the bill). Steve LaTourette (R-OH) chairs the Railroads Subcommittee, and James Oberstar (D-MN) is top Democrat on the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Please also ask for NO votes on any possible amendments to reduce Amtrak funding or micro-manage Amtrak in any way. Remind your Representative that Amtrak's Board of Directors submitted a $1.8 billion funding request and that it makes no sense to slash Amtrak funding with gas prices high and likely to remain so.
NARP has a dial-your-congresscritter line which I don't want to put on a public website without permission, but there are plenty of ways to make a free call (recommendations in comments, please!)
They wrote:
Notes when talking to your Representative's Office:
- $900 million would shut down Amtrak service nationwide.
- This is not acceptable.
- Please vote YES for the LaTourette-Oberstar Amendment to the Transportation funding bill currently being debated on the House floor.
- Please vote NO on any amendments to reduce Amtrak funding or micro-manage Amtrak in any way.
(Use your own words and give your regular mail address to make clear that you are a constituent.)
So what does Amtrak mean for you? Why should other Kosmopolitans join you in saving it? What action have you taken? Where do your Reps stand on this important national security issue, that I believe is referenced in our very own Energize America platform?
Please join me (in my first action diary, in part inspired by seeing everybody at yearlyKos), in this important matter.