Happening Now
Join the Fight for a Better Amtrak Board!
May 3, 2023
Rail Passengers Association has made securing a voice for passengers in the Midwest, West, and the South a key plank of our advocacy over the past few years, including as part of this year's advocacy push during RailNation:DC.
Thanks in part to our advocacy, Congress included language in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that requires Amtrak’s Board to include two individuals from the Northeast Corridor (NEC), and four individuals from regions outside of the NEC—two from states served by an Amtrak long-distance service and two from states served by an Amtrak State-supported service.
Unfortunately, the Biden Administration chose to ignore these statutes, with four of their five nominees living along the NEC.
Now, thanks to the work of our volunteer advocates, we have allies in the U.S. Senate. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jerry Moran (R-KN), Todd Young (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and Jon Tester (D-MT) have informed the White House that they will block action on this until the slate of nominees are brought into compliance with BIL requirements.
Ask your Senator to join us in demanding a passenger voice on the Amtrak board!
Read more about the fight for a better Amtrak board on the Rail Passengers blog.
"We would not be in the position we’re in if it weren’t for the advocacy of so many of you, over a long period of time, who have believed in passenger rail, and believe that passenger rail should really be a part of America’s intermodal transportation system."
Secretary Ray LaHood, U.S. Department of Transportation
2011 Spring Council Meeting
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