Quad Cities Passenger Rail Coalition

Economic Stimulus Includes $9.3 Billion for Passenger Rail
President Barack Obama	President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion Economic Stimulus proposal into law today, which includes the largest ever funding amount for passenger rail in United States history. With $9.3 billion allocated for passenger rail, this is a major victory for the future of Quad Cities passenger rail service. $8 billion for intercity and high speed rail corridors. This is a very likely funding source for the $22.7 million in infrastructure improvements necessary to begin Quad Cities Amtrak service. Projects can be completed using 100% federal funds. $1.3 billion for Amtrak. This funding will go toward much needed rolling stock rehabilitation, track improvements, and security enhancements. As you may recall, QC Rail joined with advocacy groups across the country, including the Midwest High Speed Rail Association and Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, to call on Congress to place a greater priority on passenger rail funding in the stimulus package. Over the past three weeks, Congress and President Obama listened. The amount of passenger rail funding grew from $1.1 billion in the House version, to $3.1 billion in the Senate version, to $9.3 billion in the final version.
QC Rail Thanks Area Congressmen and Senators
QC Rail would like to thank Illinois and Iowa Congressmen and Senators whose leadership and support played a critical role in prioritizing passenger rail funding in the stimulus package. The final stimulus bill earned all but one vote from the Quad Cities Congressional Delegation. Senator Dick Durbin (IL) led a successful effort to increase passenger rail funding by $2 billion in the Senate stimulus plan. Senator Durbin voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail. Congressman Phil Hare (IL-17) filed a House amendment seeking $500 million in additional intercity passenger rail funds. Cong. Hare sent a joint letter to House/Senate conferees requesting $5 billion for passenger rail in the final stimulus plan. Cong. Hare voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail. Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-1) sent a joint letter to House/Senate conferees requesting $5 billion for passenger rail in the final stimulus plan. Cong. Braley voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail. Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-3) sent a joint letter to House/Senate conferees requesting $5 billion for passenger rail in the final stimulus plan. Cong. Loebsack voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail. Senator Roland Burris (IL) voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail. Senator Tom Harkin (IA) voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail. Senator Chuck Grassley (IA) served on the Senate/House Conference Committee that increased passenger rail funding in the final bill. Congressman Bill Foster (IL-14) voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail. Please take a moment to call, email, or write your Congressman and Senators. Thank them for supporting an historic amount of passenger rail funding in the economic stimulus package. The Quad Cities will need their continued support as funding is allocated to specific projects.

Economic Stimulus Includes $9.3 Billion for Passenger Rail

President Barack Obama

President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion Economic Stimulus proposal into law today, which includes the largest ever funding amount for passenger rail in United States history. With $9.3 billion allocated for passenger rail, this is a major victory for the future of Quad Cities passenger rail service.

$8 billion for intercity and high speed rail corridors. This is a very likely funding source for the $22.7 million in infrastructure improvements necessary to begin Quad Cities Amtrak service. Projects can be completed using 100% federal funds.
$1.3 billion for Amtrak. This funding will go toward much needed rolling stock rehabilitation, track improvements, and security enhancements.

As you may recall, QC Rail joined with advocacy groups across the country, including the Midwest High Speed Rail Association and Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, to call on Congress to place a greater priority on passenger rail funding in the stimulus package. Over the past three weeks, Congress and President Obama listened. The amount of passenger rail funding grew from $1.1 billion in the House version, to $3.1 billion in the Senate version, to $9.3 billion in the final version.

QC Rail Thanks Area Congressmen and Senators

QC Rail would like to thank Illinois and Iowa Congressmen and Senators whose leadership and support played a critical role in prioritizing passenger rail funding in the stimulus package. The final stimulus bill earned all but one vote from the Quad Cities Congressional Delegation.

Senator Dick Durbin (IL) led a successful effort to increase passenger rail funding by $2 billion in the Senate stimulus plan. Senator Durbin voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail.
Congressman Phil Hare (IL-17) filed a House amendment seeking $500 million in additional intercity passenger rail funds. Cong. Hare sent a joint letter to House/Senate conferees requesting $5 billion for passenger rail in the final stimulus plan. Cong. Hare voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail.
Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-1) sent a joint letter to House/Senate conferees requesting $5 billion for passenger rail in the final stimulus plan. Cong. Braley voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail.
Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-3) sent a joint letter to House/Senate conferees requesting $5 billion for passenger rail in the final stimulus plan. Cong. Loebsack voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail.
Senator Roland Burris (IL) voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail.
Senator Tom Harkin (IA) voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail.
Senator Chuck Grassley (IA) served on the Senate/House Conference Committee that increased passenger rail funding in the final bill.
Congressman Bill Foster (IL-14) voted in favor of the final stimulus plan with $9.3 billion for passenger rail.

Please take a moment to call, email, or write your Congressman and Senators. Thank them for supporting an historic amount of passenger rail funding in the economic stimulus package. The Quad Cities will need their continued support as funding is allocated to specific projects.