Senate Consider Rail Noms, Looking at Safety and Expansion

By Sean Jeans-Gail, VP of Gov't Affairs + Policy

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The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, chaired by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), convened a hearing yesterday to evaluate Trump Administration nominees for key positions within the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Amtrak Board of Directors. The hearing spotlighted the qualifications of Mr. David Fink, nominated to lead the FRA, and Mr. Robert Gleason, nominated to serve on Amtrak's Board, as lawmakers probed their views on rail safety,

Gleason, a Pennsylvania native and the former Chair of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, underscored his personal history with rail travel, recounting the once-thriving passenger service in his hometown of Johnstown, and how the decline of this connection mirrored the decline of his Johnstown:

In the first half of the twentieth century, my hometown of Johnstown was connected to the rest of the world by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Trains with iconic names like the Red Arrow, Broadway Limited, the Fort Pitt, and the Clevelander—25 daily passenger trains—all stopped in Johnstown. I was a regular rail passenger traveling back and forth to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Finance and Commerce.

Our town was bypassed by the interstate highway system, and most airlines overflew us. The region began a downhill slide. As passenger train service dwindled, we are now only served by two trains a day.

In addition to my personal experiences with the benefits of rail connections and the potentially devastating effects of a community not being on the main transportation grid, I am honored to be nominated to join the Amtrak Board and continue in public service. My civilian government experience makes me well-qualified for the role of Amtrak director.

He pointed to his track record of working to build a better rail system in America, while also expressing concern over the decline in rail connectivity in the U.S., saying that—when it’s executed properly—passenger rail does more than just move people, it drives prosperity:

In 1982, I was appointed to one of the first state government committees in the nation to study high-speed rail. The 9-member committee was appointed by Governor Thornburgh with a charge to study the feasibility of constructing a high-speed passenger rail line from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. This wonderful experience will certainly help me as a member of the Amtrak board.

Economically, passenger rail can be a powerful engine for growth. Delivering a rail project generates thousands of construction, engineering, and operational jobs. Once operational, trains attract riders who spend money in local economies, especially near stations. Entire communities can be revitalized by the presence of reliable train service.

“It is clear from his testimony and from his responsiveness to inquiries from members of the committee that Mr. Gleason would be an excellent addition to the Amtrak Board of Directors,” said Rail Passengers’ President & CEO Jim Mathews. “It is refreshing to see someone with such a firm understanding that passenger trains are economic engines for the towns they serve. We support Mr. Gleason and Mr. Fink’s nomination and urge the Senate to confirm them with all due haste.”

Chairman Cruz opened questions on the accountability of federal rail funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), referencing a $12 million fraud scheme that Amtrak’s OIG recently uncovered. He also highlighted the need for Amtrak’s executive bonuses to be based on clear performance metrics. Gleason affirmed that financial transparency would be a top priority.

Rail safety emerged as a central issue throughout the nomination hearing, and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) opened his questioning by challenging Fink on his tenure at Pan Am Railways, citing an FRA audit that found “significant” problems with the railroad’s safety culture. While Fink disagreed with the audit's conclusions, he acknowledged the importance of taking such assessments seriously.

Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) continued to play a leading role in defending Amtrak’s National Network, asking both nominees to pledge to support the Southwest Chief service and the Corridor Identification Program, as it relates to Kansas’ Heartland Flyer expansion. Fink admitted he was unfamiliar with the, but expressed eagerness to engage on the issue of expansion, while emphasizing Pan Am Railways was a “preferred” host railroad for Amtrak during his tenure there.

Odds and ends:

• Sen. Klobuchar highlighted the success of Amtrak’s Borealis.
• Sen. Lujan (D-NM) reiterated concerns about Pan Am Railway’s safety record, and issued a full-throated defense of Amtrak’s National Network and the Southwest Chief.
• Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) spotlighted concerns over how recent firings at Amtrak would affect performance. Mr. Gleason admitted that he didn’t have any special insight into that decision, but committed to working to improve service in
• Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) attempted to tease out Gleason’s views on Amtrak’s current performance (both financial and operational). Gleason said he saw room for private sector involvement, but felt that Amtrak service would be cheaper and easier to expand than highways.

As the hearing concluded, the nominees voiced their willingness to collaborate with lawmakers to improve rail safety, reliability, and financial transparency. Their confirmations remain subject to committee approval in the coming weeks.