Defunding Amtrak wrong for Montana

Out of touch national politicians are at it again. It was recently announced that the budget being proposed for the 2024 federal fiscal year for Amtrak by the House Appropriations Committee would slash the national passenger rail service’s budget by 64% from the budget that was enacted last year. According to Amtrak’s CEO, Amtrak will have to “radically reduce or suspend” service on its long-distance routes, which includes the Empire Builder, which serves 12 communities along the Hi-Line, including Havre.

Amtrak is a critical transportation conduit for people throughout our nation, but it is especially important for rural America, where there are significantly fewer options for people who need to get from one place to another. Here in Montana, and I suspect elsewhere, Amtrak is used for a variety of reasons, including transporting people to larger communities for medical care at places like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and facilities in Seattle. It is used to unite and reunite families and is an important component in bringing tourists to our state to enjoy the grandeur of Montana – and spend money on our Main Streets.

For whatever unfortunate and illogical reason, Amtrak continues to be in the crosshairs of national politicians who believe that every other segment of our nation’s public transportation system should be funded properly — just not our national passenger rail system. The simple reason most of our nation’s transportation systems are funded entirely with public dollars, or heavily subsidized, as in the case of Amtrak, is that these are public systems designed to serve the citizens of this country. Other transportation components in the United States that receive heavy subsidies include airports, seaports, interstate highways, intercity bus systems, ferry systems and even the local and state roadways we all use. Our national passenger rail system should be no different, and is important for the communities it serves, including Havre and other locations here on the Hi-Line.

A robust, thriving economy for Montana and the nation is dependent upon a quality, reliable transportation system. That includes Amtrak, America’s passenger rail service. Join me in letting our congressional delegation know the importance of Amtrak to our state, especially the Hi-Line. Given the unwise decision to potentially slash Amtrak’s budget by 64% in the House Appropriations Committee, I am encouraging Montanans to reach out to Representatives Zinke and Rosendale and request that they oppose such cuts.

Defunding Amtrak is bad for America and Montana. Rather than cut the legs from under our nation’s passenger rail service, let’s make sure it continues to be an important part of our economy and provides our residents with quality transportation both now and for decades to come.

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Paul Tuss represents House District 28 in the Montana House of Representatives, which includes the City of Havre and surrounding area. He serves as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, including the Long Range Planning Subcommittee.