By Ed Somers
May 7, 2007

With no debate, on April 25 the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved a major bill to reauthorize Amtrak with $11.4 billion over six years. The bill (S. 294) is sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ), with strong support from Senator Trent Lott (MS) who helped champion a similar bill in the last Congress.

The bill would require an overhaul of Amtrak, and provide $3.3 billion in operating subsidies and $4.9 billion for capital grants. Out of the amount provided for capital grants, $1.4 billion would go to the states for intercity passenger rail upgrades. A 20 percent match would be required, as opposed to the 50 percent match called for under the Administration’s Amtrak plan.

As amended, the bill would also authorize programs for rail security similar to provisions included in the 9/11 Commission bill (S. 4) passed by the Senate.

Supporters hope to get the bill to the Senate floor before the Memorial Day recess, where passage is expected.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair James Oberstar (MN) told the Conference of Mayors during the January 2007 Winter Meeting that he would move a bill to reauthorize Amtrak, but his committee has not yet drafted their version.