Happening Now
Join the Fight for a Better Amtrak Board!
May 3, 2023
Rail Passengers Association has made securing a voice for passengers in the Midwest, West, and the South a key plank of our advocacy over the past few years, including as part of this year's advocacy push during RailNation:DC.
Thanks in part to our advocacy, Congress included language in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that requires Amtrak’s Board to include two individuals from the Northeast Corridor (NEC), and four individuals from regions outside of the NEC—two from states served by an Amtrak long-distance service and two from states served by an Amtrak State-supported service.
Unfortunately, the Biden Administration chose to ignore these statutes, with four of their five nominees living along the NEC.
Now, thanks to the work of our volunteer advocates, we have allies in the U.S. Senate. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jerry Moran (R-KN), Todd Young (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and Jon Tester (D-MT) have informed the White House that they will block action on this until the slate of nominees are brought into compliance with BIL requirements.
Ask your Senator to join us in demanding a passenger voice on the Amtrak board!
Read more about the fight for a better Amtrak board on the Rail Passengers blog.
"The Rail Passenger Association's recognition of the essential work done by SMART-TD members aboard Amtrak during this difficult period is appreciated. The Golden Spike Award serves as a testament to the compassion and dedication our conductors, assistant conductors and other workers exhibit constantly through times both ordinary and extraordinary."
Jeremy Ferguson, SMART-TD President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.
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