Happening Now

FY24 High-Speed Rail Appropriations

Members of the U.S. House that are willing to endorse the bipartisan FY24 High-Speed Rail appropriations request, please email Katie Donahue (Moulton) at [email protected] by COB of Wednesday, Mach 29th.
Senate offices can sign on via Quill; by COB of Wednesday, Mach 29th.

This letter to Senate and House THUD Subcommittees requests $3.5 billion for high-speed rail corridor development in FY24, with at least $350 million set aside for planning grants, and report language directing funding to true high-speed rail systems.

In addition to $3.5 billion for the federal high-speed rail program, with a 10% set aside for planning grants, the letter requests inclusion of the following report language:

"High-speed rail assistance.—The Committee recognizes the importance of high-speed rail for meeting our nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs. The Committee also recognizes that defining a corridor as high-speed requires the project to surpass current speed standards. For this purpose, the Committee directs the Secretary of Transportation and Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration to prioritize grants funded under Chapter 261 of Title 49, United States Code, for passenger rail projects that are reasonably expected to achieve at least 186 miles per hour on new, dedicated right-of way and 160 miles per hour on shared right-of-way. Additionally, the Committee recognizes the value of building a pipeline of high-speed rail projects for development. In order to achieve a robust national network, the Committee directs the Federal Railroad Administration to prioritize planning grants for communities where there is no current high-speed rail passenger service nor construction."

Five Senators have signed on so far (as of March 23): Ossoff, Jon; Warnock, Raphael; Duckworth, Tammy; Warren, Elizabeth; and Padilla, Alex

43 House Members have already signed on (as of March 23): Allred, Colin; Beyer, Donald; Blumenauer, Earl; Bonamici, Suzanne; Bowman, Jamaal; Brown, Shontel; Budzinski, Nikki; Carter, Troy; Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila; Cleaver, Emanuel; Costa, Jim; Courtney, Joe; Davids, Sharice; Davis, Danny; Dean, Madeleine; DeGette, Diana; DelBene, Suzan; Fitzpatrick, Brian; García, Jesús; Gottheimer, Josh; Green, Al; Hayes, Jahana; Himes, James; Jayapal, Pramila; Lee, Barbara; Lofgren, Zoe; Lynch, Stephen; Magaziner, Seth; Matsui, Doris; Moore, Gwen; Moulton, Seth; Norton, Eleanor; Panetta, Jimmy; Ruppersberger, C.; Schakowsky, Janice; Sherrill, Mikie; Smith, Adam; Strickland, Marilyn; Swalwell, Eric; Titus, Dina; Torres, Ritchie; Williams, Nikema.

"The COVID Pandemic has been and continues to be the biggest challenge faced by Americans as it has taken a deadly toll on the world and on the world’s economies. During COVID Locomotive Engineers at Amtrak and other Passenger and Freight Railroads have embodied the definition of essential workers. This dedication by our members is not new. We applaud the Rail Passenger’s Association for recognizing the vital contributions of our members and their hard work moving Americans and freight during the COVID pandemic."

Dennis Pierce, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.