Your Help is needed now for Amtrak

This past summer (June and July) we reported to you about the status of Amtrak funding in Congress. Many of you took the time to contact your representatives in Washington to let them know how important Amtrak has been in providing discounts for veterans and by encouraging them to continue to provide the funding necessary to operate a national system. Our efforts have been successful which is evident by the fact that Amtrak funding increased in the Senate bill. However, we have a little more work to do on assuring a viable funding level and restoration of the 50% discount for vets.

Here’s the Latest:
We are now near the final stages of the transportation funding process in Washington. As you may recall Amtrak has asked Congress for $1.8 billion. The House passed a bill providing $1.2 billion and the Senate is close to voting on a bill that would provide Amtrak with $1.45 billion. Most transportation experts agree that Amtrak will need the amount in the Senate bill ($1.45 billion) in order to maintain its existing system. This is particularly true now that Congress is contemplating a 2 percent across the board funding reduction for most federally funded programs like Amtrak.

So now, more than ever, we need your help:
I hope you will join me one more time in contacting your Senators in Congress to let them know that they need to support the Senate funding level ($1.45 billion) for Amtrak. To send an email, (the best way to get your message across), go to:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

The message :

1. Identify yourself as a veteran or veteran family member.
2. Ask your Senators to support the Amtrak funding level recommended by the full Senate Appropriations committee when the bill is on the Senate floor (starting today).
3. Ask your Senator to encourage Amtrak to restore the off-peak
   50% discount for veterans, active military, National Guard and Reserve that they ran so successfully for more than 2 years. Our discount program helped Amtrak increase the number of passengers in off peak periods and improved Amtrak’s bottom line for revenue.
   

This is probably the most critical point in the transportation funding process and I urge you to let your voice be heard again!

Thank you again for your support of Veterans Advantage.

All the best,
Scott

Scott Higgins
Founder & CEO
Veterans Advantage
Veterans Advantage: Delivering recognition and rewards to you everyday!