Floor SpeechNeutral2024-12-10

AMTRAK TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PASSENGERS AND TAXPAYERS ACT

TaxesEnvironmentTradeLaborInfrastructure

Context

On 2024-12-10, Representative Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) delivered a floor speech titled "AMTRAK TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PASSENGERS AND TAXPAYERS ACT" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, trade policy. It referenced legislation: HR8692.

Full Text

AMTRAK TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PASSENGERS AND TAXPAYERS ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)] [House] [Pages H6578-H6579] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMTRAK TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PASSENGERS AND TAXPAYERS ACT Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8692) to require that the Amtrak Board of Directors comply with the open meetings requirements of section 552b of title 5, United States Code, and for other purposes, as amended. [[Page H6579]] The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 8692 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act''. SEC. 2. OPEN MEETINGS. Section 24301(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking ``Section 552 of title 5, this part'' and inserting the following: ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), sections 552 and 552b of title 5, this part''; (2) in the second sentence by striking ``Section 552 of title 5, United States Code, applies'' and inserting the following: ``(2) Timing of application.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), sections 552 and 552b of title 5 apply''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) Scope of application.-- ``(A) Information.--The requirements of the second sentence of section 552b(b) of title 5 shall not apply to any portion of an Amtrak meeting and subsections (d) and (e) of section 552b of title 5 shall not apply to any information pertaining to any portion of an Amtrak meeting otherwise required by section 552b of title 5 to be disclosed to the public in any case in which Amtrak properly determines that such portion or portions of the meeting or the disclosure of such information is likely to involve-- ``(i) contract negotiations, including negotiations for contract procurements and agreements, the disclosure of which would imperil or compromise the competitive position of Amtrak; ``(ii) collective bargaining agreements or any terms and conditions that are proposed for inclusion in any collective bargaining agreement, including the negotiation of terms and conditions with employees or representatives of employees of Amtrak; and ``(iii) with respect to any individual who is a prospective officer, employee, or contractor or an officer, employee, or contractor employed or appointed by Amtrak, matters involving the employment, appointment, termination of employment, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of the performance of, promotion or disciplining of any such individual, unless all such individuals whose rights could be adversely affected request in writing that the matter or matters be discussed at a public meeting. ``(B) Additional application.--In addition to the information described in subparagraph (B), the information described in section 552b(c) shall apply to Amtrak meetings.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy) and the gentlewoman from Alaska (Mrs. Peltola) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Utah. General Leave Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 8692. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Utah? There was no objection. Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Government in the Sunshine Act, or Sunshine Act, was established to increase the public's confidence in its government. Under the Sunshine Act, meetings of government agencies must be open to the public unless one of the statute's exemptions apply. The act defines an agency as one headed by a collegial body, a majority of whose members are nominated by the President, and whose appointment is subject to advice and consent of the Senate. This clearly describes Amtrak. The need for full transparency at Amtrak has never been greater. Here are just a few examples. First, last fiscal year, Amtrak reported operating losses of $757 million. These were losses made up for by taxpayers. Its Acela II train sets are more than 3 years behind schedule, and the delays have cost Amtrak more than $140 million in lost revenues. Additionally, the Northeast Corridor Commission estimates its state of good repair backlog on the Northeast Corridor exceeds $78.7 billion. Further, the Biden administration's infrastructure law provides for more than $66 billion in advanced appropriations that Amtrak can use to expand service, regardless of the need to make a profit. With so much of the taxpayers' money in Amtrak's hands, there clearly needs to be more transparency and accountability for the decisions made by the passenger rail service's board, and this bill provides just that. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. PELTOLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8692. This bill requires Amtrak's board of directors to hold open meetings, ensures the public is notified of upcoming meetings, and allows the public to observe board meetings. The bill increases transparency and allows exceptions when certain sensitive financial and contractual obligations are discussed, including contract negotiations with Amtrak's workers. Transparency is important, and the concept of open board meetings has support from the Rail Passengers Association and the States for Passenger Rail Coalition. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls). Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8692, the Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act, is essential legislation for mandating transparency from Amtrak. This bill applies the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 to Amtrak, requiring meetings of its board of directors to be open to public observation with certain exceptions. Amtrak's status as a governmental entity for the purposes of the Sunshine Act is beyond dispute. All its voting board members are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. It shares characteristics with other government-created and -sponsored entities that require board of director meetings to be open. Amtrak receives substantial taxpayer support. Never in its more than 50-year history has it made a profit, and now it has access to more than $66 billion. That is with a b, Mr. Speaker. For those of you upstairs, that is $66 billion in taxpayer support through the Biden administration's infrastructure law. How this funding will be utilized and how Amtrak is managed is of great importance to its customers, employees, and taxpayers at large. It is often said that sunshine is the best disinfectant. Opening up many of Amtrak's board of director meetings will better ensure that its decisions are made in the best interest of the public. With so much at stake, Amtrak should not be the exception to transparency. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Chairman Graves and the members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for supporting H.R. 8692, and I urge support of this legislation. Mrs. PELTOLA. Mr. Speaker, this bill will increase transparency of Amtrak decisions as Amtrak uses Federal funding to improve operations, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8692 represents an important step in providing much-needed transparency and accountability to meetings by Amtrak's board of directors and the decisions they make that involve billions of taxpayer dollars. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8692, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR8692, HR8692

View original source →

AMTRAK TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PASSENGERS AND TAXPAYERS ACT Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)] [House] [Pages H6578-H6579] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMTRAK TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PASSENGERS AND TAXPAYERS ACT Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8692) to require that the Amtrak Board of Directors comply with the open meetings requirements of section 552b of title 5, United States Code, and for other purposes, as amended. [[Page H6579]] The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 8692 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act''. SEC. 2. OPEN MEETINGS. Section 24301(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by striking ``Section 552 of title 5, this part'' and inserting the following: ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), sections 552 and 552b of title 5, this part''; (2) in the second sentence by striking ``Section 552 of title 5, United States Code, applies'' and inserting the following: ``(2) Timing of application.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), sections 552 and 552b of title 5 apply''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(3) Scope of application.-- ``(A) Information.--The requirements of the second sentence of section 552b(b) of title 5 shall not apply to any portion of an Amtrak meeting and subsections (d) and (e) of section 552b of title 5 shall not apply to any information pertaining to any portion of an Amtrak meeting otherwise required by section 552b of title 5 to be disclosed to the public in any case in which Amtrak properly determines that such portion or portions of the meeting or the disclosure of such information is likely to involve-- ``(i) contract negotiations, including negotiations for contract procurements and agreements, the disclosure of which would imperil or compromise the competitive position of Amtrak; ``(ii) collective bargaining agreements or any terms and conditions that are proposed for inclusion in any collective bargaining agreement, including the negotiation of terms and conditions with employees or representatives of employees of Amtrak; and ``(iii) with respect to any individual who is a prospective officer, employee, or contractor or an officer, employee, or contractor employed or appointed by Amtrak, matters involving the employment, appointment, termination of employment, terms and conditions of employment, evaluation of the performance of, promotion or disciplining of any such individual, unless all such individuals whose rights could be adversely affected request in writing that the matter or matters be discussed at a public meeting. ``(B) Additional application.--In addition to the information described in subparagraph (B), the information described in section 552b(c) shall apply to Amtrak meetings.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy) and the gentlewoman from Alaska (Mrs. Peltola) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Utah. General Leave Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 8692. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Utah? There was no objection. Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Government in the Sunshine Act, or Sunshine Act, was established to increase the public's confidence in its government. Under the Sunshine Act, meetings of government agencies must be open to the public unless one of the statute's exemptions apply. The act defines an agency as one headed by a collegial body, a majority of whose members are nominated by the President, and whose appointment is subject to advice and consent of the Senate. This clearly describes Amtrak. The need for full transparency at Amtrak has never been greater. Here are just a few examples. First, last fiscal year, Amtrak reported operating losses of $757 million. These were losses made up for by taxpayers. Its Acela II train sets are more than 3 years behind schedule, and the delays have cost Amtrak more than $140 million in lost revenues. Additionally, the Northeast Corridor Commission estimates its state of good repair backlog on the Northeast Corridor exceeds $78.7 billion. Further, the Biden administration's infrastructure law provides for more than $66 billion in advanced appropriations that Amtrak can use to expand service, regardless of the need to make a profit. With so much of the taxpayers' money in Amtrak's hands, there clearly needs to be more transparency and accountability for the decisions made by the passenger rail service's board, and this bill provides just that. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mrs. PELTOLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8692. This bill requires Amtrak's board of directors to hold open meetings, ensures the public is notified of upcoming meetings, and allows the public to observe board meetings. The bill increases transparency and allows exceptions when certain sensitive financial and contractual obligations are discussed, including contract negotiations with Amtrak's workers. Transparency is important, and the concept of open board meetings has support from the Rail Passengers Association and the States for Passenger Rail Coalition. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls). Mr. NEHLS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8692, the Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act, is essential legislation for mandating transparency from Amtrak. This bill applies the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 to Amtrak, requiring meetings of its board of directors to be open to public observation with certain exceptions. Amtrak's status as a governmental entity for the purposes of the Sunshine Act is beyond dispute. All its voting board members are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. It shares characteristics with other government-created and -sponsored entities that require board of director meetings to be open. Amtrak receives substantial taxpayer support. Never in its more than 50-year history has it made a profit, and now it has access to more than $66 billion. That is with a b, Mr. Speaker. For those of you upstairs, that is $66 billion in taxpayer support through the Biden administration's infrastructure law. How this funding will be utilized and how Amtrak is managed is of great importance to its customers, employees, and taxpayers at large. It is often said that sunshine is the best disinfectant. Opening up many of Amtrak's board of director meetings will better ensure that its decisions are made in the best interest of the public. With so much at stake, Amtrak should not be the exception to transparency. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Chairman Graves and the members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for supporting H.R. 8692, and I urge support of this legislation. Mrs. PELTOLA. Mr. Speaker, this bill will increase transparency of Amtrak decisions as Amtrak uses Federal funding to improve operations, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8692 represents an important step in providing much-needed transparency and accountability to meetings by Amtrak's board of directors and the decisions they make that involve billions of taxpayer dollars. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8692, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR8692, HR8692