Current Status Bill Number:630 Type of Legislation:Concurrent Resolution CR Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19950309 Primary Sponsor:Land, All Sponsors:Land, Elliott, Holland, Stilwell, Rankin, Matthews, Ford, Jackson, Reese, Lander, Moore, Mescher, Passailaigue, Glover, O'Dell, Bryan, J. Verne Smith, Courson, Setzler, Patterson, Saleeby, Washington, Russell and Hayes Drafted Document Number:BBM\9956JM.95 Date Bill Passed both Bodies:19950330 Subject:Amtrak
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
Senate 19950330 Received from House
House 19950329 Adopted, returned with concurrence
House 19950322 Committee report: Favorable 24 HIMR
House 19950315 Introduced, referred to Committee 24 HIMR
Senate 19950315 Adopted, sent to House
Senate 19950309 Introduced, placed on Calendar
without reference
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
COMMITTEE REPORT
March 22, 1995
S. 630
Introduced by SENATORS Land, Elliott, Holland, Stilwell, Rankin, Matthews, Ford, Jackson, Reese, Lander, Moore, Mescher, Passailaigue, Glover, O'Dell, Bryan, J. Verne Smith, Courson, Setzler, Patterson, Saleeby, Washington, Russell and Hayes
S. Printed 3/22/95--H.
Read the first time March 15, 1995.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 630), urging Congress not to reduce funding for Amtrak, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
RICHARD M. QUINN, JR., for Committee.
URGING CONGRESS NOT TO REDUCE FUNDING FOR AMTRAK AND TO TAKE OTHER STEPS TO PRESERVE THE AMTRAK SYSTEM.
Whereas, Amtrak is energy efficient and environmentally beneficial, consuming about half as much energy per passenger mile as airlines and causing less air pollution; and
Whereas, Amtrak provides mobility to citizens of many smaller communities poorly served by air and bus services, as well as to those senior citizens, disabled people, students, and persons with medical conditions preventing them from flying who need trains as a travel option; and
Whereas, Amtrak is nine times safer than driving on a passenger-mile basis and operates even in severe weather conditions; and
Whereas, Amtrak travel rose forty-eight percent from 1982 to 1993 and Amtrak dramatically improved coverage of its operating costs from revenues; and
Whereas, expansion of Amtrak service by using existing rail rights-of-way would cost less and use less land than new highways and airports and would further increase Amtrak's energy-efficiency advantage; and
Whereas, federal investment in Amtrak has fallen in the last decade while it has risen for airports and highways; and
Whereas, states may use highway trust fund money as an eighty percent federal match for a variety of nonhighway programs, but they are prohibited from using such monies for Amtrak projects; and
Whereas, Amtrak pays a fuel tax that airlines do not pay; and
Whereas, Amtrak workers and vendors pay more in taxes than the federal government invests in Amtrak. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That Congress is urged not to reduce federal funding of Amtrak.
Be it further resolved that Amtrak be excused from paying fuel taxes that airlines do not pay.
Be it further resolved that states be given the flexibility to use federal highway trust fund monies on Amtrak projects if they so choose.
Be it further resolved that federal officials include a strong Amtrak system in any plans for a national transportation system.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of South Carolina's Congressional Delegation, all at Washington, D.C.