Have you done your best to let Congress know that you want full funding for Amtrak? Today we had a major set-back when the congressional funding committee for Amtrak voted only a small (killing!) budget for Amtrak! If the full House now votes on the budget which it will soon, Amtrak will die unless you put more pressure on your congressman or congresswoman for them to vote only for full funding at $1.2 billion for the next budget year. This is really the telltale time for you to act!
Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :
When do they vote? Will this be on C-SPAN?
Posted by chrisg (Member # 2488) on :
I have contacted all of my California officals on the matter and they all agree Amtrak should be fully funded.
Chris
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
Yes, I called my Congressman, who sits on the appropriations committee, to ask for full funding for Amtrak.
But let's not be too pessimistic. The process is following the exact same path as it did last year, and the year before that. Remember, the same committees approved only $500 million then, too. It is pathetic that they play these stupid games year after year, but as I've said before, there aren't enough votes to kill Amtrak. Right now its just the bean counters in the apppropriations committees who are doing their annual posturing. The full house and senate represent much more diverse views.
Posted by Pojon (Member # 3080) on :
I agree with you MR. TOY but I do hope we are both right! Posted by irish1 (Member # 222) on :
i also got favorable replies from my politicians in wisconsin.
Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :
Thats good, but does anyone have any idea when the house will be voting on this?
Posted by Pojon (Member # 3080) on :
Vote of full House of Representatives on the budget for Amtrak funding amendments should be coming up next week!
Posted by Capltd29 (Member # 3292) on :
I love you Mr. Toy
When I feel somewhat pessimistic like i am now and have been for the past days, you post something that makes me look up
I think that amtrak will make it by, but still with no longterm investment, until a new congress comes in, in 07
Jon Parker
Posted by Pojon (Member # 3080) on :
Let's make sure that we get rid of the Republicans in congress in the next election---what do they care about the 25 million passengers that used Amtrak last year!!!??? Loyalty they haven't got!
Posted by chrisg (Member # 2488) on :
For everyones info. Responses to your official are rated. Phone calls or E mails are worth just one point. Letters or post cards are worth 9 points. Everyone send post cards to your leaders.
Chris
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
Just an FYI, I read a couple days ago that a committee tried to kill funding for NPR, only to see it restored when it came to the full House vote. Remember, the bean counters sit on approptiations committees, but they don't control House members on the whole.
Keep up the fight, never look down, and never give up.
Posted by Pojon (Member # 3080) on :
Correct, MR. TOY! Keep up the fight with calls, post cards, letters, etc. Democrarcy really means bugging your representatives and making sure that you don't vote for the wrong man or woman! Keep track at all times, if possible, of just how your rep votes.
Posted by B.T.Rider (Member # 3975) on :
Pojon: Not necessary to get rid of all Republicans. Some are enlightened on this matter and should be rewarded for that.
The ones who are NOT (as are some Dems) need to be reminded that Amtrak is NOT a party loyalty issue. It is a people issue. And we the people need more trains.
A $1 per barrel surcharge on the oil to be sucked out of the Arctic Wildlife Refuge would fund Amtrak for 15 years with no additional funds.
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