Moulton, McBride Lead Bipartisan Group of Colleagues Urging Full Funding for Amtrak and Passenger Rail in FY27

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) led a bipartisan letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, urging Chairman Steve Womack (AR-03) and Ranking Member James Clyburn (SC-06) to provide full funding for Amtrak and passenger rail programs at levels authorized under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in Fiscal Year 2027. The letter, signed by a bipartisan group of 116 Members of Congress, was co-led by Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02).

With key IIJA authorizations set to expire on September 30, 2026, the letter warns that failure to maintain funding at authorized levels will jeopardize ongoing repair and expansion projects and gut critical safety programs.

The letter specifically calls for Amtrak and rail programs to be funded at least to the levels authorized in the IIJA:

• $4.4 billion for Amtrak, including $1.4 billion for the Northeast Corridor and $3 billion for the National Network
• $1 billion for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program
• $50 million for the Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program
• $1.5 billion for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grants
• $500 million for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program

"America was built on the rail lines that connected our communities, created good-paying jobs, and drove our economy forward, and we have a responsibility to keep that promise alive," said Congressman Moulton. "This goes beyond just funding trains. It's about reducing congestion on our highways, investing in thousands of good-paying jobs, and connecting rural towns to urban centers. From the Northeast Corridor to the National Network's long-distance routes, every region of this country deserves world-class passenger rail infrastructure. I want to especially thank Congresswoman McBride, Congressman Fitzpatrick, and Congressman Bacon for their partnership and leadership on this letter. Together, we're making clear that investing in passenger rail is investing in America's future."

"Amtrak is part of the beating heart of Wilmington-connecting Delawareans to communities across the Northeast and beyond, and keeping our local economy moving," said Congresswoman McBride. "But to strengthen and modernize our passenger rail infrastructure, we need robust federal investment-not just for the Northeast Corridor, the busiest rail line in the country, but across Amtrak's network that helps keep us connected and creates good-paying jobs. I'm proud to be working with Rep. Moulton and my colleagues across the aisle to ensure we can improve the affordability, reliability, and safety of passenger rail."

Passenger rail plays a vital role in America's transportation network, serving communities from coast to coast. Amtrak's National Network connects hundreds of rural communities with urban centers across 32 state-supported routes and 15 long-distance routes. The Northeast Corridor-stretching from Washington, D.C. to Boston-serves more than 53 million Americans and supports a regional GDP of $5.9 trillion. In FY25, Amtrak recorded a historic ridership high on the Corridor, carrying more than 15 million passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 21 percent.

The full letter can be read here.

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