Senator Charles E. Schumer (D - NY), said, "Eliminating Amtrak wouldn't just cost us billions of dollars in operating funds for the trains and the business people and tourists they bring here, it also shreds the safety net we'll need in case - God forbid - our airspace is shut down again like it was after 9/11."
The Administration’s proposal is seen by some as basically flawed because of the length of time, and money, that would be required to actually shut down Amtrak.
“Earlier today, President Bush sent to Congress his proposed budget for FY '06. It provides no funding for Amtrak. In contrast, this year we are spending $1.4 billion, of which $1.2 billion is from a federal appropriation to support our operations and capital programs across the country."
Not one freeper read between the lines? All but $200M of their budget was stolen? ...Six/sevenths of their budget...stolen.
And then there's the question of all the benefits that should be flowing back into the Department of Defense coffers given all the new imperial territories recently opened up for looting (/sarcasm /cynicism).
Amtrak user fees (fares) provide a greater percentage of their agency costs than just about every other agency of government in this country.