WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today stood with Senate colleagues – all representing states along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor – and urged the Senate and House Appropriations Committees to fully fund Amtrak’s request in the upcoming appropriations bills. For years, Amtrak has been underfunded, causing Amtrak officials to have to choose between safety and infrastructure upgrades and contributing to a $21 billion backlog.

In addition to Menendez, press conference participants included Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bob Casey (D-P.A.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Blumenthal (D-C.T.), Chris Murphy (D-C.T.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Walking out of the press conference, Menendez was asked to respond to Republican criticism that Democrats are taking advantage of a tragedy in calling for increased funding. Menendez says he has been calling for full funding long before Amtrak 188 derailed. Listen to the answer in the audio clip below.

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