I wonder if Amtrack gave contributions to Fritz Hollings or Joe Biden?
Taxpayer Group Dishonors Democrats for Bailing Out Amtrak
By Jim Burns
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
January 11, 2002
conservativenews.org\Politics\archive\200201\POL20020111g.html
Two longtime Democratic Senators have received the dubious distinction of being January's "Porkers of the Month" because they voted to bail out Amtrak, America's government run rail system, according to the taxpayer watchdog group that hands out the "award."
According to Citizens Against Government Waste, "Sens. Joe Biden (D-Del.) and Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D-S.C.) may have had a few eggnogs too many when they slipped an amendment into the defense appropriations bill effectively bailing out the government's poster child for inefficiency, Amtrak."
"By barring Amtrak from spending money on its own required 2002 liquidation, the senators have pulled the mismanaged government railroad's fat from the fire, likely leading to more taxpayer subsidies," the statement said.
CAGW prefers fundamental reform and privatization of Amtrak to government bailouts.
Neither Biden's nor Hollings offices returned phone calls seeking comment.
In 1997, Congress required Amtrak to wean itself of federal operating subsidies by the end of 2002. The railroad has struggled to meet this mandate. It is mired in debt and reported a cash loss of $405 million in the first eight months of 2001.
Amtrak received a $521-million federal subsidy this fiscal year.
Amtrak dates back to 1971, when it took over rail routes that had been previously run by private companies. It has never earned a profit. Officials said in 2000, Amtrak lost $500 million.
The Amtrak Reform Council, a watchdog group mandated and funded by Congress but working independently of the railroad, faces a February 7 deadline to submit to Congress a plan for the railroad's liquidation.
On Friday, the Amtrak Reform Council held a meeting in Washington to discuss various options on restructuring its intercity rail passenger service.
According to council staff, one option being considered is the abolition of Amtrak's monopoly on intercity rail travel. Under this scenario, some or all of its rail routes would be left to compete with privately owned companies.
Another option is to keep those routes under Amtrak or allow them to be run by regional train companies.
The council's final recommendations have no legal weight but could help frame the debate on the future of Amtrak when Congress returns to work later this month. |
