Sen. McCain says won't support Amtrak aid
He sharply criticized a $22 billion bill that includes substantial aid over five years for its high-speed service and other national rail development.
With Republicans due to take control of the Senate in January, U.S. Sen. John McCain, the incoming chairman of the Commerce Committee said he would not back substantial long-term subsidies of Amtrak, Reuters reported. "Subsidization of Amtrak is nothing that this senator will ever support," McCain said. McCain expressed support for a $1.7 billion security proposal now on hold, but sharply criticized a separate $22 billion bill that is also stalled. That measure includes security enhancements for Amtrak as well as substantial aid over five years for its high-speed service and other national rail development, said the news service. "The reason we don't have rail security is because of the desire to add billions that don't have anything to do with rail security," said McCain.
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