October 21, 2008 - Both the House and Senate passed the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and its companion bill, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The legislation tightens rail safety protection and authorizes $13.1 billion for Amtrak over five years. The Bush Administration did not support the legislation, but the President signed the bills into law after they passed both the House and Senate by veto-proof majorities.

The rail safety legislation has been termed the “most comprehensive rail safety bill in more than 30 years.” It includes measures that prohibit carriers from interfering with medical treatment of injured employees; mandates installation of positive train control; and offers railroads incentives to install electronically-controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes and switch position indicators.

For Amtrak, the legislation sets out a “blueprint” to protect Amtrak and expand intercity passenger service. It includes a five-year cumulative $13.1 billion federal funding of the carrier; seed money for development of additional high-speed rail corridors; and directs the Surface Transportation Board to fine host freight railroads that delay Amtrak trains.

The authors of the bill were Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) voted yes and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) voted no. The vote indicates how each of the candidates would treat transportation issues as president. “Obama will mean that when the Congress votes for funding we’ll have a partner in the White House. It means we won’t have to fight.” said Oberstar. With McCain we’ll start where the Bush administration left off…it means an uphill fight instead of going forward.”

Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama and vice presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) were cosponsors of the Amtrak and pledged to continue fighting for Amtrak.