Help Save Amtrak

Dear Veterans Advantage Member,

Over the past few years Amtrak has played an important role in providing discounts for our nation’s veterans and active military. While we have been disappointed that they have not yet renewed the 50% discount for Veterans Advantage members that have benefited our members as well as Amtrak for several years, we are still hopeful that that will occur in the future, if there is a future for Amtrak.

Amtrak has been busy fighting a very serious budget battle in Washington and America is facing the prospect of life without rail passenger service for the first time since trains began running. Many of our members have enjoyed the benefit of seeing the beautiful country they have served though the window of an Amtrak train, something you can never get by flying over it. Veterans and active military personnel have used Amtrak to travel between VA Hospitals, to get home when they arrive back in this country from Iraq or Afghanistan or just for leisure travel.

Today, policy makers in Washington are making important decisions on many different programs that impact our lives. However, in the case of Amtrak it is not just a matter of a budget cut that may result in less service. Amtrak is facing the possibility of a complete shutdown. The sad part of this is that it will cost the government about the same amount to shut it down as it does to keep it running! While we all can agree that there may be ways that Amtrak could be operated more efficiently, total elimination of Amtrak should not be the first option.

So, I hope you will join me in contacting your representative in Washington, DC and let them know that Amtrak is important to those who have put their life on the line for this country. Many Members of Congress will be in their home states and districts during the July 4th holiday celebrating America’s birthday in patriotic events. If you see them, let them know that this country needs Amtrak.

When Congress returns from the July 4th holiday, it is expected that the Senate will begin making decisions about funding transportation, including Amtrak. The following is a list of Senators who sit on the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee and will have much to say about the survival of Amtrak. Many of these Senators have been strong supporters of veterans’ issues.

Thank you for your support of Veterans Advantage.

All the best,
Scott

Scott Higgins
Founder & President
Veterans Advantage