Positive outlook on new Congressional Leadership

The outlook for committee chairman and members is promising for the 110th Congress.  Most importantly, the chances look better than they have in a long time for an Amtrak reauthorization.

Highlights include:

House T&I Railroads Subcommittee
Corrine Brown (D-FL), Steven LaTourette (R-OH)

House Appropriations Committee
David Obey (D-WI), Jerry Lewis (R-CA)

House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee John Olver (D-MA), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)

New Democrats on the House Ways and Means committee—which has been the stumbling block to approving the “funding guts” of a reauthorization bill, include Earl Blumenauer (OR), Ron Kind (WI), William Pascrell (NJ), Shelley Berkley (NV), Joseph Crowley (NY), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Kendrick Meek (FL), Allyson Schwartz (PA) and Artur Davis (AL).

Jim Oberstar (D-MN) will chair the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  Unfortunately, the Ranking Member will be John Mica (R-FL), a long time Amtrak critic. Democrats will be in the majority and his ability to outright kill something will be limited.  No doubt, however, he will provide us with many more anti-Amtrak soundbites.

—Dave Johnson