America's passengers are being heard in Washington!

Written By Sean Jeans Gail

We've heard back from Senate offices, and America's train passengers are speaking out against the Flake (R-AZ) amendment to eliminate food and beverage service!

Now, we need to make sure we have the same sort of impact on the other side of the Hill, where some members of the House are proposing amendments so extreme they would literally eliminate every single dollar of federal support for Amtrak:

• Rep Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has offered an amendment to zero out Amtrak’s budget
• Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) offered two amendments, one to zero out Amtrak capital funding and one to zero out Amtrak operating funding
• Representative John Mica (R-FL) has offered two amendments, one to eliminate Amtrak food and beverage service (similar to the Flake amendment), and one to privatize Amtrak lines

These amendments would end train service in America as we know it. Right now, NARP is working on rallying support in the House to organize a series of speeches talking about the many benefits that passenger trains bring to the nation (tentatively scheduled for today at around 4:00 p.m. Eastern).

Actual votes on the House bill could happen as early as tonight. Please, call your Representative and let them know you oppose ANY amendment to the Transportation and Housing Appropriations bill that would reduce Amtrak funding!