Rail Service Continuity and Stability Act of 2025
This bill, formally titled the "Rail Service Continuity and Stability Act of 2025," authorizes Congress to provide extra funding specifically for Amtrak’s long-distance passenger train routes. Its primary purpose is to prevent service cuts or cancellations on these routes by ensuring Amtrak receives sufficient federal money to maintain operations. Long-distance routes—defined by federal law as trips exceeding 750 miles, such as the *Empire Builder* (Chicago-Seattle) or *Sunset Limited* (New Orleans-Los Angeles)—have historically faced budget shortfalls and political threats. If enacted, this bill would give lawmakers the legal authority to appropriate funds beyond existing budgets, stabilizing service for passengers in rural and underserved regions reliant on these trains. However, it does not itself allocate money; it only permits future funding decisions by Congress.
Key Points
- 1Authorizes "such additional sums as may be necessary" for Amtrak to operate all long-distance routes active on the bill’s enactment date, with no predefined spending cap.
- 2Explicitly protects existing long-distance routes (as defined in 49 U.S.C. §24102) from being discontinued due to lack of funding.
- 3Relies on the federal statutory definition of "long-distance routes," which covers Amtrak services operating over 750 miles.
- 4Does not create new routes, alter service frequencies, or modify Amtrak’s operational structure—solely addresses funding authorization.
- 5Distinguishes between *authorization* (this bill’s purpose, granting legal permission to spend) and *appropriation* (a separate future step where actual funds are allocated).