Booker Joins Coons, 12 Senators in Urging Senate Appropriations Leadership to Advance Long-Term Funding for Amtrak

WASHINGTON D.C. —U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined a group of 13 Senate colleagues in sending a letter, led by U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), to the leadership of the Senate Commerce and Appropriations Committees urging them to include advance appropriations for Amtrak and passenger rail programs in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill expected later this year.
The senators asked for funding for Amtrak from fiscal year 2027 through at least FY31, emphasizing that long-term funding is key for sustaining progress made under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and for addressing the Northeast Corridor’s capital backlog.
“Throughout 2025, Amtrak has focused on delivering reliable, high-quality service – surpassing systemwide customer service goals, expanding its network, and increasing network capacity. As a result, Amtrak experienced unprecedented ridership across its network,”the senators wrote. “Amtrak’s capability to make responsible, strategic investments in its infrastructure and equipment has the company on track to achieve operational profitability.”
The lawmakers highlighted the IIJA’s historic $66 billion investment in passenger and freight rail, including $22 billion for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and National Network. That funding has supported major projects such as the Connecticut River Bridge replacement, the B&P Tunnel replacement in Baltimore, and the rollout of NextGen Acela trains, all while driving record ridership and revenue growth across Amtrak’s network.
“The trainset’s construction generated over 1,300 new jobs across 29 states, with nearly all of its components made in America,”the senators added. “Amtrak is advancing its stations toward full ADA accessibility by 2029. Nineteen stations across the country reached compliance in 2025, with another 50 stations targeted for FY26.”
Despite this progress, the senators wrote that the Northeast Corridor still faces an estimated $84.1 billion state-of-good-repair backlog by 2040. Without advance appropriations beyond FY26, Amtrak’s ability to complete multi-year projects efficiently and to meet growing passenger demand could be at risk.
The letter was also signed by U.S Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
To read the full letter, click here.