Senators debate Amtrak funding
CAPITOL HILL Amtrak is underfunded now -- and it will run out of money by the end of the year without a big funding boost. That was the message from Amtrak chairman David Laney, as he testified about the rail line's budget before a Senate Commerce subcommittee.
Laney told senators Amtrak needs an annual funding increase of something in the range of 600 (m) million dollars just to survive.
Laney also says recent mechanical problems with the Acela line are likely to eat up all of Amtrak's available cash.
Transportation Department Inspector General Kenneth Mead urged senators to look at Amtrak's long-range needs, rather than simply mulling a one-year bailout.
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