WASHINGTON -- Rep. Norman Y. Mineta, Ranking Democratic Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, this afternoon asserted his disappointment after an announcement this morning that legislation to reform Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, had again been withdrawn from consideration, scheduled for 1 pm this afternoon by the full Committee.

Mineta did, however, applaud Committee completion of two other important pieces of legislation -- the Economic Development Partnership Act of 1995, and the Ocean Shipping

"The two bills we approved represent writing the final chapter in transportation deregulation in the United States and forging a renewed commitment to investment in America. My only regret today is that the future of Amtrak remains an open question, when a vote for common-sense reform along with free and fair negotiations should have held the day," Mineta said.

Committee consideration of the Amtrak Reform and Privatization Act of 1995 was begun on June 14th and abruptly halted when improved labor reform provisions were approved by the Committee. Resuming consideration was scheduled for this afternoon.

"What has arisen in the past 36 hours is an unanswered question of interpretation. Could labor reform provisions focused on Amtrak have an adverse effect on the employees of the Nation's privately-owned freight railroads? A statement clarifying the intent of the legislation would have resolved the issue, but that statement was not forthcoming from the bill's authors," Mineta explained.

"I believe we owe the American people straight answers. We were willing to proceed today, but given the decision to postpone markup, we stand ready to work with all parties to try to do what needs to be done. And what needs to be done, in my view, is to get an Amtrak bill which will enable Amtrak to continue to play an important part in the transportation network of the United States," Mineta asserted.

Better news did prevail on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1995, Mineta said.

"Ocean shipping has only been in our Committee's jurisdiction since January, but with this bill we have been able to apply some tried and true principles of orderly deregulation which have guided us here in this Committee for many years. Whether it be the airline industry, trucking, air cargo, or rail, injecting more competition into the transportation marketplace is good for transportation consumers and for the industry itself," Mineta said.

"This bill will improve the marketplace, and encourage cost-saving benefits to be passed along to consumers, by liberalizing the ability of shippers and carriers to enter into individual contracts, by shortening the time in which carriers can take independent actions on prices, and by abolishing tariff filing and enforcement. We also close down the Federal Maritime Commission after two years and transfer FMC's remaining functions to the Department of Transportation," Mineta explained.

"So with this bill we help consumers, help shippers, help our international competitiveness, and reduce the Federal bureaucracy. That's good news any day," Mineta concluded.

Finally, the Committee approved the Economic Development Partnership Act, which reforms and reauthorizes the Economic Development Administration and the Appalachian Regional Commission, each within the Department of Commerce.

"At a time when the infrastructure of distressed communities is crumbling, the programs of the Economic Development Administration and the Appalachian Regional Commission provide much-needed public works funds. At a time when communities need assistance to determine how to compete in the global market, EDA and the ARC provide critical planning and technical assistance. And, at a time when our defense industry is radically downsizing and hundreds of bases are closing, EDA provides the assistance that these communities and the industries need to help them pick themselves up, brush themselves off, and put the pieces of job-creation back in place," Mineta said.

"With adoption of this bill, Congress will reauthorize and reform these economic development programs for the first time in more than a decade. This bill launches these programs on a new effort founded on reform, efficiency, responsibility, and accountability. Gone in this bill are the approaches of old. Gone are the inefficient bureaucracies; gone are the archaic eligibility requirements; and gone are the time-consuming and cumbersome approval processes.

"EDA's crucial role in defense conversion is a perfect example of its utility in the 1990s. Nationwide, more than 250 military bases are currently closing and almost 150 additional facilities are being realigned. The 1995 Base Closure and Realignment Commission proposes closing another 79 bases and realigning 26 others. In my home state of California alone, the defense industry has already lost one-quarter of a million jobs. In the last seven years, 21 major bases have been slated for closure, with more than 80,000 military and civilian workers directly losing their jobs. Through it all, EDA -- with infrastructure grants, business development loans, and technical assistance -- has helped both communities and industries adjust to the post-Cold War world," Mineta concluded.