Hotline #91-B - June 23, 1999

The House today passed its fiscal 2002 transportation funding bill, H.R.2084, by a vote of 429-3. The feared Hefley amendment to reduce Amtrak funding was never offered. This may mean that a count of members showed the amendment would suffer an embarrassing defeat. Our thanks to those whose efforts in contacting members helped make that analysis possible.

The House did approve an amendment cutting funding for the Amtrak Reform Council. This amendment offered by Andrews (D.-N.J.) cut Council funding from $750,000 in the bill to $450,000. The amendment was approved overwhelmingly, with almost 300 votes in favor.

Also this week, the Senate Commerce Committee approved by voice vote the nomination of Sylvia De Leon to the Amtrak board.