Join a thread, start a thread -- it's your chance to sound off!
From: CNN
In: Washington
Posted 11-13-97
Subject: Amtrak Vote Expected Tonight
House negotiators today reached a compromise on the $3.4 billion Amtrak bill, agreeing to Republican demands to replace the Amtrak board with seven new members.
The new members would be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate by March 30.
The House is expected to vote tonight on the amended bill, which frees up $3.4 billion in funding for Amtrak over the next five years and an additional $2.3 billion for capital improvements. The Senate approved the funding last week.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bud Shuster (R-Pa.) blocked a House vote Wednesday night, citing opposition to the structure of the Amtrak board. Under the Senate bill, the president's nine appointees did not need to be confirmed by the Senate.
Late-night negotiations between Shuster and Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) yielded the compromise, according to staffers. The agreement also insists that the president's appointments be made in consultation with Congress.
The House bill also includes a reduction in severance pay for Amtrak employees and a $200 million cap on accident liability payments. Both provisions were negotiated in the Senate last week.