Photo courtesy of the House T&I Committee. © 2013
Five members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure took a ride June 6 on Amtrak’s Acela from Washington to New York City to hold a “field hearing” on the Northeast Corridor. Joining committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-PA), second from right, are, from left, Reps. Corrine Brown (D-FL) and Albio Sires (D-NJ), Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Boardman, and Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA). Committee member Patrick Meehan (R-PA) attended but is not pictured. Shuster said that possibly ending the mandate that Amtrak serve nearly all of the country is “something we have to take a hard look at.” He continued: “I think we need to step back for a minute and examine it all and put the money where it makes sense.” Shuster also offered praise for the Northeast Corridor, calling it the “jewel in Amtrak’s crown.”