Republican members of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) yesterday asked Amtrak to provide information on whether former Vice President Joe Biden has received "any special treatment" in his use of Amtrak trains and service as part of his campaign as the Democratic Party's candidate for president.
U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), the ranking member of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, and T&I Committee members U.S. Reps. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), Scott Perry (R-Pa.) and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.), wrote to Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer William Flynn to inquire whether Biden's campaign received special treatment, interfered with freight-train operations or diverted critical resources from the passenger railroad's normal operations.
The Biden campaign has used Amtrak in its activities and portrayal of its candidate, including a recent Amtrak charter train on a tour through Pennsylvania and Ohio that included a number of campaign stops.
In their letter, the lawmakers noted Amtrak's finances have taken an extreme hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the railroad has had to lay off employees and reduce service as part of cost-cutting measures.
"Given that the Biden campaign has declined to disclose what it paid to use Amtrak's resources, we want to ensure that the campaign paid a full, non-discounted rate," the Republicans wrote.
Progressive Railroading has reached out to Amtrak for a comment on the lawmakers' request for information.Railroad News
Republican T&I members seek details on Biden campaign's use of Amtrak
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10/21/2020
Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
Republican members of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) yesterday asked Amtrak to provide information on whether former Vice President Joe Biden has received "any special treatment" in his use of Amtrak trains and service as part of his campaign as the Democratic Party's candidate for president.
U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), the ranking member of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, and T&I Committee members U.S. Reps. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), Scott Perry (R-Pa.) and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.), wrote to Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer William Flynn to inquire whether Biden's campaign received special treatment, interfered with freight-train operations or diverted critical resources from the passenger railroad's normal operations.
The Biden campaign has used Amtrak in its activities and portrayal of its candidate, including a recent Amtrak charter train on a tour through Pennsylvania and Ohio that included a number of campaign stops.
In their letter, the lawmakers noted Amtrak's finances have taken an extreme hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the railroad has had to lay off employees and reduce service as part of cost-cutting measures.
"Given that the Biden campaign has declined to disclose what it paid to use Amtrak's resources, we want to ensure that the campaign paid a full, non-discounted rate," the Republicans wrote.
Progressive Railroading has reached out to Amtrak for a comment on the lawmakers' request for information.
Republican members of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) yesterday asked Amtrak to provide information on whether former Vice President Joe Biden has received "any special treatment" in his use of Amtrak trains and service as part of his campaign as the Democratic Party's candidate for president.
U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), the ranking member of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, and T&I Committee members U.S. Reps. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), Scott Perry (R-Pa.) and Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.), wrote to Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer William Flynn to inquire whether Biden's campaign received special treatment, interfered with freight-train operations or diverted critical resources from the passenger railroad's normal operations.
The Biden campaign has used Amtrak in its activities and portrayal of its candidate, including a recent Amtrak charter train on a tour through Pennsylvania and Ohio that included a number of campaign stops.
In their letter, the lawmakers noted Amtrak's finances have taken an extreme hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the railroad has had to lay off employees and reduce service as part of cost-cutting measures.
"Given that the Biden campaign has declined to disclose what it paid to use Amtrak's resources, we want to ensure that the campaign paid a full, non-discounted rate," the Republicans wrote.
Progressive Railroading has reached out to Amtrak for a comment on the lawmakers' request for information.Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.
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