Hotline #4-B - October 22, 1997

Today, the House began consideration of the Amtrak reauthorization bill, H.R.2247. The rule for consideration was passed on a rather narrow 226-200 vote. There was only general debate today. The rule allows for consideration of three amendments, likely to be voted on tomorrow. One would be the same one Oberstar (D.-Minn.) offered in committee (the House bill minus labor reforms); a LaTourette (R.-Ohio) amendment that would keep the appearance of labor reforms only; and a Quinn amendment (R.-N.Y.) that would establish a firewall between Amtrak and the freight railroads, clarifying that the Amtrak bill is not intended to have any impact on freight railroads. We understand Chairman Shuster (R.-Pa.) will accept the Quinn amendment.

Phone calls urging support for the bill and opposition to the Oberstar and LaTourette amendments would be helpful. Our concern is that, if either of these amendments passes, the Republican leadership would deep-six the whole bill, and Amtrak would not get its $2.3 billion in capital funding.