Is FURLOUGH a reality or am I dreaming. We would all be furloughed if left up to Tea Party Congresswoman Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and her right-wing congressional friends (John Boehner of Ohio and Jeff Flake of Arizona). Legislation of this very nature is being discussed on the House floor today (7/29) while Amtrak's President & CEO Joe Boardman sends a letter to members of the House of Representatives. Boardman 's letter discusses the impact of Congresswoman Michelle Bachman's proposed amendment, designed to eliminate Amtrak's capital and debt service grant for next year.  A portion of the letter included the following: "If enacted, the amendment would:  eliminate Amtrak service nationwide and require us to furlough nearly all of our 20,000 employees. "Wasn't the Amtrak funding question already answered? Why is the ultra-right so hell-bent on destroying America's Railroad?

The House is soon scheduled for a floor vote on H.R.5850 - Transportation-HUD fiscal 2011 appropriations. Please call your U.S. Congressperson (not your U.S. Senator) and request that they vote "NO" on any amendment that would financially impact Amtrak. Please do it now. Use the "Contact Congress" menu bar located on the right side our web page. Make the call, the switchboards are open.

 UPDATE:

July 29, 2010 ~ The good news is that in a late night session, the amendment to strip Amtrak of operating capital was defeated 129-293. The bad news is that this attack on America's Railroad will continue. Thanks to all those who called their Congressman urging support for HR 5850 and against measures designed to kill Amtrak.

Linked is the roll call vote on the amendment offered by Congressman Jeff Flake (AZ) (H.AMDT.760). It was earlier reported that Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann would front this amendment. Last minute switch. Bachmann was on the house floor but kept her big mouth shut. It was reported she was having a bad hair day and did not want to appear un-feminine on camera. The amendment, numbered 20 printed in part A of House Report 111-578 to reduce funding for Capital and Debt Service Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for capital investments by $1,203,500,000. Look for your congressperson on the list. See where their interests lay.

Special thanks to Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Corrine Brown (FL) for their remarks supporting Amtrak. On the House floor, and with fire in her voice, Congresswoman Brown actually said "If it's Flake, it's bad", referring to Congressman Flake's intentions. It is uncertain when the Senate will take up consideration of their version of this bill.