This morning the House Appropriations Subcommittee with transportation oversight denied Amtrak's request for $1.8 billion in funding. The Republican Leadership in the subcommittee approved only $550 million for Amtrak, which could effectively eliminate train routes throughout most of the country, including the Cardinal line which runs through southern West Virginia.

U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) released the following statement:

"The proposal by Congressional Republicans on the Appropriations Committee would effectively kill Amtrak. They are taking their cues from the Bush Administration and Republican leadership in Congress. This cut would almost certainly mean the end of Amtrak on the Cardinal line, which travels from Washington to Chicago via southern West Virginia, as well as other train routes across the Nation. West Virginians depend on Amtrak; Americans depend on Amtrak for their travel needs. Once again, this decision would derail Amtrak; it is bad for our Nation, bad for West Virginia and bad for our transportation infrastructure.

"I will do everything I can to ensure Amtrak continues to serve West Virginia."