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House Passes One Week Budget Extension
December 9, 2020
House Passes One Week Budget Extension; New Deadline is Dec. 18 to Secure Emergency Funding for Amtrak and Transit
This afternoon the U.S. House of Representatives passed a one-week extension of current funding law to keep the government open through December 18. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass an identical extension ahead of this Friday’s deadline when the current funding is set to expire.
That gives passengers another week to ensure that Amtrak and transit are included in the final passage!
Our sources on Capitol Hill are telling us that the current bipartisan compromise includes $1 billion for Amtrak and $15 billion for mass transit systems, which would help avoid further cuts and layoffs for rail operators struggling with the coronavirus pandemic and anemic ridership.
With disagreement over key passages, the bill is still very much in flux—and there’s no guarantee that the Senate will pass a coronavirus relief package at all unless they hear from their constituents. We need your help to stiffen the spines of your members of Congress between now and next week!
"I’m so proud that we came together in bipartisan fashion in the Senate to keep the Southwest Chief chugging along, and I’m grateful for this recognition from the Rail Passengers Association. This victory is a testament to what we can accomplish when we reach across the aisle and work together to advance our common interests."
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
April 2, 2019, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his work to protect the Southwest Chief
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