LAUTENBERG HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF AMTRAK BILL, CONDEMS BUSH VETO THREAT

Lautenberg Hails House Passage of Amtrak Bill, Condemns Bush Veto Threat

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) hailed the House of Representatives’ passage of legislation to revitalize Amtrak.  Lautenberg is the lead sponsor of the bipartisan Senate Amtrak Revitalization bill that overwhelmingly passed the Senate by a vote of 70 – 22 in October

“Today’s vote brings us one step closer to this bill becoming law,”  Lautenberg, the chairman of the Senate subcommittee on rail, said.  “This legislation will put us on track toward a world-class passenger rail system in America.  When travelers choose the convenience of rail over cars and planes, they also reduce gridlock, help fight global warming and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. 

With gas prices now more than $4 a gallon, airfares skyrocketing and traffic congestion clogging our roads, it is outrageous that President Bush is threatening to veto this critical legislation.  The House’s overwhelming passage of this legislation signals quite clearly that people want travel alternatives and a healthy Amtrak for the future.  For everyone in New Jersey and across the country that pays too much for gas, sits too long in traffic and is delayed too often on airline flights, President Bush needs to sign our bill.”

Now that the House passed its measure, it will be “conferenced” with Lautenberg’s Senate measure and prepared for a final text that will be approved by the Senate and House, and then sent to the President.  Lautenberg co-authored the Senate Amtrak legislation with former Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS).

May 2008 was the highest-single month in Amtrak history.  Ridership in May totaled 2.6 million passengers, an increase of 12.3 percent from May 2007.  Along the Northeast Corridor, ridership on Amtrak regional trains increased 12.4 percent.  Trains in the Northeast provide critical service to New Jerseyans who are traveling for both work and pleasure.

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