U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the following opening remarks at today’s hearing for President Biden’s nominees, David Capozzi, Samuel Lathem, Ronald Batory and Elaine Clegg, to serve as members on the Amtrak Board of Directors. Read the testimonies and watch the hearing here.
“Amtrak is in the midst of one of the most significant transformations since it was founded over 50 years ago, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” Sen. Cantwell said during the hearing. “The company’s service options are also growing. At the end of last year, Amtrak added two roundtrips to the Cascades service between Seattle and Portland…Whether it is wise and effective infrastructure investments or ensuring safety remains the company’s top priority, it is the job of these Board Members to make sure these issues are addressed.”
“I especially want to thank my colleague Senator Tester for leading the fight to ensure the Biden Administration nominated individuals from the West. Thanks to his efforts, the nominees here today, and the most recent nominee announced this week, bring a broader geographic representation that is much needed,” Sen. Cantwell continued.
Due to Sen. Cantwell’s leadership, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $58 billion for passenger rail, including $22 billion for Amtrak – the largest bipartisan investment in passenger rail in history. Following the pandemic route cancellations, Sen. Cantwell urged the Amtrak CEO and director nominees to commit to the full-service restoration of the Amtrak Cascades route. Due to her advocacy, the Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. service has been open since September 2022. And in March 2023, Sen. Cantwell announced that a second daily trip was restored, bringing service back to pre-pandemic levels. Recently, in December 2023, Amtrak fulfilled another promise to Sen. Cantwell and added two more daily roundtrips between Seattle and Portland for a total of seven daily round trips.
Earlier this year, Cantwell led the Senate confirmations of Christopher Koos, Anthony Coscia and Joel Szabat to the Amtrak Board – the first time the Senate confirmed an Amtrak nominee since 2015. Amtrak is governed by a ten-member Board of Directors, including the Secretary of Transportation, the President of Amtrak and eight individuals appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Amtrak’s Board of Directors sets policy and oversees the management and strategic direction of the company.