The Honorable Brian Schatz
Chair
Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee
Senate Appropriations Committee
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable David Price
Chair
Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee
House Appropriations Committee
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Susan Collins
Ranking Member
Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee
Senate Appropriations Committee
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
The Honorable Mario Diaz-Balart
Ranking Member
Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee
House Appropriations Committee
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Chair Schatz, Chair Price, Ranking Member Collins and Ranking Member Diaz-Balart:
On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), representing workers across nearly every position in the passenger rail network, I write to request that Congress fully fund Amtrak operations for FY2023, consistent with the FY2023 annual appropriations authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This includes $1.1 billion for the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and $2.2 billion for the National Network (NN), a total of $3.3 billion in grant funding.
With the passage of the IIJA, Congress committed to deliver world-class intercity passenger rail, and to support and preserve good jobs building, operating, and maintaining Amtrak’s network. Now, it is time for Congress to fulfill that promise by providing full funding in accordance with IIJA’s FY2023 authorization.
Full funding will allow Amtrak to keep communities connected through the continued operation of long distance routes; provide quality service in the Northeast Corridor by supporting operations, maintenance, and routine capital investments; and sustain its national network through continued partnership with states to provide short-distance corridor service. Moreover, full funding will be crucial for Amtrak in navigating the uncertainties of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.
I urge you to provide the full funding amount of $3.3 billion for annual appropriations for Amtrak in FY2023 that is consistent with the amount of FY23 authorized level in IIJA in your subcommittee’s appropriations bill.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Greg Regan
President