Bipartisan House Letter Presses Appropriators To Fully Fund Amtrak, Rail Programs

March 30, 2026 The Turntable

A bipartisan group of 116 House members is urging congressional appropriators to fully fund Amtrak and federal passenger rail programs in fiscal 2027 at levels authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, warning that falling short could disrupt projects already underway and undercut rail safety efforts.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts, led the letter to the House Appropriations transportation subcommittee’s chairman, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Arkansas, and the panel’s top Democrat, U.S. Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina. The letter was co-led by Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Delaware; U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania; and Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska.

The lawmakers emphasized that key IIJA rail authorizations are set to expire Sept. 30, and argued that appropriations should at least match the law’s authorized funding levels to keep repair and expansion programs moving and to avoid cuts to safety-related work.

The letter calls for at least $4.4 billion for Amtrak, including $1.4 billion for the Northeast Corridor and $3 billion for the National Network. It also asks for $1 billion for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program, $50 million for the Restoration and Enhancement grant program, $1.5 billion for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grants, and $500 million for the Railroad Crossing Elimination program.

Supporters of the request framed passenger rail funding as an economic and mobility issue, arguing that sustained federal investment supports jobs, relieves highway congestion and improves connections between rural and urban communities.

Amtrak’s National Network includes state-supported routes and long-distance service connecting communities across the country, while the Northeast Corridor remains the system’s busiest segment, running from Washington to Boston. The letter cites Amtrak ridership growth on the corridor and broader economic activity tied to the region as part of its argument for maintaining investment levels.

The House members urged appropriators to prioritize rail in the fiscal 2027 process as Congress weighs transportation spending and the future of IIJA-era programs.

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