BMWED LEGISLATIVE ISSUES – 110th Congress

July-August 2007

Amtrak Funding FY 08

On July 24 the House passed a $104 billion transportation and housing bill for FY 08 by a vote of 268-153, enough to sustain a promised veto by President Bush. The bill (HR 3074) authorizes a 4% increase for transportation programs.

Democrats held firm as a few Republicans made unsuccessful attempts to cut Amtrak funding.

Rep. Jeff Flake’s (R-AZ) amendment would have slashed $475 million from Amtrak’s operating funds; it was defeated, 94-328. Another would have slashed $475 million from Amtrak’s capital funds; it was defeated 104-312. Rep. Pete Session’s (R-TX) amendment would have cut funding for the Sunset Limited, which runs from New Orleans to Los Angeles, and Rep. Michele Bachmann’s (R-MN) amendment would have shifted $106 million from Amtrak into a HUD grant program for the homeless. They were defeated, 139-283 and 110-308, respectively.

Overall the bill contains almost $1.5 billion for Amtrak, with $925 million for capital and debt service.

Rail Safety

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Transportation Subcommittee, introduced the Senate companion bill to The Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007 (HR 2095) reported on in the last issue of the Journal.

On July 26, along with representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration, the Association of American Railroads, and the Southern California Regional Railroad Authority, BLET Vice President and National Legislative Representative John Tolman testified before Chairman Lautenberg’s subcommittee on the proposed legislation.

Both the House and Senate bills address limbo time and hours of service and face strong opposition from the railroads. BMWED continues to work with committee staff to ensure that the final rail safety bill will abolish the long-standing practice of providing sleeping quarters through the use of camp cars, and also strengthens whistle-blower protections for employees who report unsafe conditions and personal injuries.

Rail Security

On July 27 Congress gave final approval on the long-stalled legislation to implement a number of recommendations of the September 11 Commission (HR 1). Negotiators dropped the controversial provision that would have extended union protection to 45,000 federal airport screeners. The Senate approved the measure by of a vote of 85 to 8, followed by the House vote of 371 to 40.

Concerning rail security, this bill authorizes more than $4 billion in grants over four years for rail, transit and bus security.

In related action, the Senate also passed on July 27 its $40.6 billion version of the Department of Homeland Security FY 08 budget. The House passed its bill (HR 2638) on June 15. Both bills provide $800 million for port and rail security grants, about double Bush’s request.