Rep. Lance introduces passenger rail reform

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) strongly supports passage of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015 (H.R. 749).

Lance said the passenger rail infrastructure plays a vital role in economic growth, particularly in N.J., where rail transportation provides jobs and contributes millions of dollars to the state.

"This bipartisan legislation puts forth common-sense reforms to our federal passenger rail infrastructure programs," he said. "It strengthens Amtrak, promotes new projects and improvements and saves taxpayer funds by cutting wasteful bureaucratic red tape. Passage of the Rail Reform and Investment Act is another major bipartisan accomplishment of the 114th Congress."

H.R. 749 authorizes congressional appropriations for fiscal years 2016 to 2019 to the secretary of transportation for Amtrak, to implement Northeast Corridor improvements, expansion of the national network and national infrastructure investment capital grants.