An Amtrak passenger train in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo: Loco Steve/cc/flickr)
The GOP-led U.S. House of Representatives late Tuesday voted to slash $242 million from the Amtrak budget.
"Amtrak currently receives $1.3 billion from the government, most of which goes toward capital improvements and debt service," APreports. "The GOP-drafted measure cuts $242 million from capital accounts but fully funds the $289 million request for operating losses."
 We Interrupt This Article with an Urgent Message! Common Dreams is a not-for-profit news service. All of our content is free to you - no subscriptions; no ads. We are funded by donations from our readers. This media model only works if enough readers pitch in. We have millions of readers every month and, it seems, too many take our survival for granted. It isn't. Our critical Mid-Year fundraiser is off to a very slow start - only 243 readers have contributed a total of $9,200 so far. We must raise $40,800 more before we can end this fundraising campaign and get back to focusing on what we do best.  |
The vote was part of a GOP effort to weaken U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed infrastructure spending proposal, put forth under a joint transportation and housing budget.
A deadly Amtrak crash on the outskirts of Philadelphia last month put a spotlight on the need for increased funding and support for public transportation services.
Despite the significant losses, public transportation advocacy group the National Association of Railroad Passengers notes that it would have been much worse if seven "anti-train" measures weren't voted down.
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The GOP-led U.S. House of Representatives late Tuesday voted to slash $242 million from the Amtrak budget.
"Amtrak currently receives $1.3 billion from the government, most of which goes toward capital improvements and debt service," APreports. "The GOP-drafted measure cuts $242 million from capital accounts but fully funds the $289 million request for operating losses."
We Interrupt This Article with an Urgent Message! Common Dreams is a not-for-profit news service. All of our content is free to you - no subscriptions; no ads. We are funded by donations from our readers. This media model only works if enough readers pitch in. We have millions of readers every month and, it seems, too many take our survival for granted. It isn't. Our critical Mid-Year fundraiser is off to a very slow start - only 243 readers have contributed a total of $9,200 so far. We must raise $40,800 more before we can end this fundraising campaign and get back to focusing on what we do best. |
The vote was part of a GOP effort to weaken U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed infrastructure spending proposal, put forth under a joint transportation and housing budget.
A deadly Amtrak crash on the outskirts of Philadelphia last month put a spotlight on the need for increased funding and support for public transportation services.
Despite the significant losses, public transportation advocacy group the National Association of Railroad Passengers notes that it would have been much worse if seven "anti-train" measures weren't voted down.
The GOP-led U.S. House of Representatives late Tuesday voted to slash $242 million from the Amtrak budget.
"Amtrak currently receives $1.3 billion from the government, most of which goes toward capital improvements and debt service," APreports. "The GOP-drafted measure cuts $242 million from capital accounts but fully funds the $289 million request for operating losses."
We Interrupt This Article with an Urgent Message! Common Dreams is a not-for-profit news service. All of our content is free to you - no subscriptions; no ads. We are funded by donations from our readers. This media model only works if enough readers pitch in. We have millions of readers every month and, it seems, too many take our survival for granted. It isn't. Our critical Mid-Year fundraiser is off to a very slow start - only 243 readers have contributed a total of $9,200 so far. We must raise $40,800 more before we can end this fundraising campaign and get back to focusing on what we do best. |
The vote was part of a GOP effort to weaken U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed infrastructure spending proposal, put forth under a joint transportation and housing budget.
A deadly Amtrak crash on the outskirts of Philadelphia last month put a spotlight on the need for increased funding and support for public transportation services.
Despite the significant losses, public transportation advocacy group the National Association of Railroad Passengers notes that it would have been much worse if seven "anti-train" measures weren't voted down.