The senators said they would block any attempt to liquidate Amtrak, an option that remains a possibility since the Amtrak Reform Council ruled on November 9 that the railroad wouln't meet its December 2002 deadline for operational self-sufficiency.
Within 90 days, Amtrak must present Congress with a liquidation plan, while the Reform Council must draft a passenger rail restructuring plan.
"Amtrak cannot be liquidated without the Senate's approval, and we will oppose any effort to do so," the lawmakers said in a letter to the White House that was released Monday. "We hope you will join with us in reassuring Amtrak's creditors that liquidation is not an option."
The administration is drawing up a plan for passenger rail, but has not yet said whether it favors reforming or replacing Amtrak.
In the House, Rep. Jack Quinn (R-N.Y.), who chairs the subcommittee on railroads, and Rep Bob Clement of Tennessee, its ranking Democrat, both urged the White House on Monday to adopt "a more rational and orderly process for discussing and resolving" Amtrak's future.
Their letter mirrored Amtrak's response to the ARC ruling, calling it "the wrong decision at the wrong time."
"The strict time constraint now in place will inhibit the Congress and the Administration from thoroughly assessing the many fundamental questions regarding the future of Amtrak and our national passenger rail system," Quinn and Clement wrote.
"We plan to monitor this situation closely in order to foster a thoughful and in-depth process regarding the future of our passenger rail system, and we stand opposed to any liquidation of Amtrak," they said.
Well guys out there what is your reaction to this?
I've told as many as possible about Biden's poll and suggested they vote in it (current results to his question: "Do you think the U.S. should invest in a national passenger rail system?" are: votes = 1329, Yes = 96.39%) Obviously, I support a national rail system.
However, I'm not sure that it's Amtrak who should be carrying the banner, and that's what bothers me. While I'm all for a national rail system, I'm still not convinced that Amtrak is the only way to achieve that.
It's interesting that the trainsmag.com report expresses it both ways: first, that some in Congress are "...cautioning against liquidation of the national passenger railroad" and then that the senators would "...block any attempt to liquidate Amtrak..." -- as if Amtrak is the only possible choice to build, manage, preserve, and promote a national rail system.
I feel like saying to Congress "Hey thanks, guys -- but I was hoping for an improvement in the management."
quote:
Originally posted by Trainsandmore:
trainsmag.com just reported that Bipartisan support to keep Amtrak intact grew in the House a Senate this week, as 21 senators and two key representatives sent letters to President Bush cautioning against liquidation of the national passenger railroad.
The senators said they would block any attempt to liquidate Amtrak, an option that remains a possibility since the Amtrak Reform Council ruled on November 9 that the railroad wouln't meet its December 2002 deadline for operational self-sufficiency.Within 90 days, Amtrak must present Congress with a liquidation plan, while the Reform Council must draft a passenger rail restructuring plan.
"Amtrak cannot be liquidated without the Senate's approval, and we will oppose any effort to do so," the lawmakers said in a letter to the White House that was released Monday. "We hope you will join with us in reassuring Amtrak's creditors that liquidation is not an option."
The administration is drawing up a plan for passenger rail, but has not yet said whether it favors reforming or replacing Amtrak.In the House, Rep. Jack Quinn (R-N.Y.), who chairs the subcommittee on railroads, and Rep Bob Clement of Tennessee, its ranking Democrat, both urged the White House on Monday to adopt "a more rational and orderly process for discussing and resolving" Amtrak's future.
Their letter mirrored Amtrak's response to the ARC ruling, calling it "the wrong decision at the wrong time."
"The strict time constraint now in place will inhibit the Congress and the Administration from thoroughly assessing the many fundamental questions regarding the future of Amtrak and our national passenger rail system," Quinn and Clement wrote.
"We plan to monitor this situation closely in order to foster a thoughful and in-depth process regarding the future of our passenger rail system, and we stand opposed to any liquidation of Amtrak," they said.
Well guys out there what is your reaction to this?
Now, that doesn't mean I think Amtrak is perfect, or that no other options exist (I'm still waiting to see them, however). I don't care who is providing the service as long as it is there. But unless Amtrak's critics can come up with something better, any thought of liquidation is utterly foolish.
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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy