Statement on Firing of Amtrak President David Gunn

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jerrold Nadler released the following statement today in response to the firing of Amtrak President and CEO David Gunn:

“The recent firing of David Gunn as President of Amtrak is an outrage.  The Amtrak Board of Directors has become a front for the Bush Administration and Amtrak opponents.  The firing of David Gunn is another backdoor attempt to dismantle the railroad. 

Earlier this year, the Bush Administration requested that Amtrak’s funding be cut completely, and tried to force it into bankruptcy.  In response, the House and Senate both voted overwhelmingly to increase funding for Amtrak and to maintain the system in the Department of Transportation appropriations bill.  In September, the Board approved a resolution to spin off the Northeast Corridor and create a new subsidiary.  The Senate responded last week by passing Senator Lott's Amtrak reauthorization as an amendment to the Deficit Reduction Bill.  This reauthorization bill would maintain Amtrak as-is while taking measures to enhance the railroad, not dismantle it. 

When Amtrak opponents could not subvert the will of the people, they focused on management.  They have focused on this GAO Report, which looks at a lot of minutiae about management practices, without looking at the broader context of how a railroad is run, and without acknowledging Amtrak performance results. 

David Gunn is a straight shooter who has made a number of common sense management reforms to help the railroad run efficiently.  David Gunn knows how to run a railroad.  He refuses to break up the system or give in to attempts by the Bush Administration, Amtrak opponents, and the Board to dismantle the railroad.  His firing is a sign of the lengths Amtrak opponents will go to in order to eliminate passenger rail service in this country.”

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