In a recent letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives from rail labor, supporting H.R. 3489, a bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representatives Pat Tiberi (R-OH) and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) which would repeal the current funding mechanism for the Transitional Reinsurance Program authorized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under
Members of Congress responsible for our nation’s transportation systems, including our national passenger rail system, are once again considering the reauthorization of Amtrak. The choice is clear: give Amtrak the resources it needs, or choose the routine ritual of starving it and wondering why we don’t have faster trains and more service. As a backdrop,
The Transportation Trades Department (TTD, AFL-CIO) of which TCU is a member, Executive Committee came together recently to rally around an aggressive transportation jobs and investment agenda and to take dead aim at globalization and safety issues. They focused on the need to counter the toxic agenda of political extremists—who gave us ideas like sequestration
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be holding 11 public “listening sessions” where the public can voice their ideas and concerns regarding EPA regulation of carbon pollution. These listening sessions are directly related to regulations that have the potential to close coal fired power plants that have already been affected and refitted as a result
The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), of which TCU is a member, recently endorsed the changes by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to Buy America policy that will lead to job creation and stronger transportation and manufacturing sectors. “TTD and our affiliated unions have long advocated for strong transportation Buy America policies,” said TTD President
John Robert Smith is familiar face in transportation reform circles. The former Republican mayor of the town of Meridian, Mississippi, he now leads two of the most significant advocacy organizations in the field, Transportation for America and Reconnecting America. He also happens to be a former chair of Amtrak’s board of directors. All of those
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved a $54 billion fiscal 2014 Transportation-HUD spending bill, setting up a fight with the House over the budget. The difference between the measures’ spending levels is about $10 billion. Differences include money for infrastructure projects, known as TIGER grants. The Senate would increase funding for the grants by $50
The recent 2014 budget approved by the House subcommittee on Appropriations, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development would put an end to Amtrak. The measure would provide $7.7 billion, or about 15 percent, less than the fiscal 2013 level. It would provide $13.9 billion less than the president’s request. The Federal Railroad Administration would be cut
The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) appealed directly to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-PA) for increased support of Amtrak’s long-distance trains. In a letter to Shuster, NARP urged the congressman to look for a “fresh approach” that would encourage expanded rather than reduced capacity on Amtrak’s “popular, heavily used long-distance trains.”
Amtrak’s profitable Northeast Corridor is where Pennsylvania Republican Bill Shuster wants the priority for federal investment in passenger rail — even if that may mean cuts to money-losing long-distance trains. TCU maintains that full funding is required for long-distance service as well. “This is the jewel in Amtrak’s crown,” Shuster said, referring to the Northeast Corridor
