August 15, 2011
Tell Your Members of Congress to Fight for Trains!
We need your voice! ;This is the most urgent need we have faced in years.
As you know, the recent debt ceiling deal creates intense pressure to reduce all federal spending. In addition, Chairman John Mica (R-FL) of the House authorizing committee has urged 25% cuts to Amtrak’s operating grant in both 2012 and 2013. Thus, the need for passenger train supporters to speak up is as clear as it has ever been.
Please ask your U.S. representative and senators to support—and work for—annual funding of $2.2 billion for Amtrak and $2.5 billion for the High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail program. These are, respectively, what Amtrak requested for 2012 and what was originally appropriated for the high speed rail program in 2010.
Click here to find a draft letter. Please individualize this letter by adding and deleting text to have the best impact on your legislators and to make clear why trains are important to you personally. If you have time, please also urge local political and business leaders to make the same request of your legislators.
Also, Congress is out of session until Labor Day with many legislators in their home districts or states. You be able to meet with one or more of them individually or to speak at one of their “town meetings.”
You have been with us all along – please be with us this time! As always, we thank you and the American traveler thanks you.
--Robert J. Stewart, Chairman and Ross B. Capon, President & CEO
National Association of Railroad Passengers
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