CONTACT: Jeff Giertz/ Nicole Buseman

jeff.giertz@mail.house.gov/ nicole.buseman@mail.house.gov

202.226.4026 / 202.226.0572

Braley Praises President Obama’s Rail Plan

Proposal could have positive impact on eastern Iowa Amtrak plans

Washington, DC – Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) released the following statement after President Barack Obama and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood unveiled their plan for high-speed passenger rail today:

“President Obama’s passenger rail plan is good news for proponents of bringing Amtrak to eastern Iowa.  His plan, combined with the huge passenger rail investment in the Economic Recovery Act and passenger rail investments called for in the President’s budget, will help speed the advance of passenger rail to cities in eastern Iowa and beyond.

“Today, the President stressed a long-term goal of comprehensive high speed rail systems.  In order to reach this goal, the President noted that we must support passenger rail lines that are ‘ready to go’ and will create jobs now.  

“The Chicago to Quad Cities and Chicago to Dubuque lines are shovel-ready rail projects that will create jobs and economic growth immediately. Both projects have my full support and I hope to see ground broken on these two projects as early links in President Obama’s proposed national rail system.”

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Jeff Giertz

Communications Director

Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01)

(202) 226-4026 (direct)

(202) 297-6745 (cell)

jeff.giertz@mail.house.gov

http://braley.house.gov