Amtrack is nothing but a huge boondoogle for politicians. I say Right On, Mr. Istook! If this country needs a railway, the private sector should build it.
Istook made a mistake, too many Republicans are on the Northeast corridor and they won't let this stand.
Amtrak should be defunded and killed once and for all. The states in the Northeast on the Bos-Wash corridor should fund passenger trains along the mainline and the commuter spurs. This is feasible, since this line makes money and carries a huge number of passengers.
No taxpayer dollars should be funding mostly empty trains running across red states.
Istook is a nutcase. And, apparently, very vengeful.