Press Releases

Statements of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Webster (R-FL) on the Trump Administration’s announcement that Amtrak will provide bonuses to over 18,000 of its unionized employees, using funds previously directed to executive bonuses:

Graves: “In recent years, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has conducted ongoing oversight of the exorbitant bonuses paid to Amtrak executives. We have passed legislation out of the House to increase transparency in Amtrak’s decision making, as well as make public the bonuses the rail service’s executives receive. I commend the Administration for working with Amtrak’s leadership to redirect much of that bonus funding to the thousands of Amtrak employees this holiday season.”

Webster: “Thanks to President Trump’s actions to restore accountability and fiscal responsibility at Amtrak, over 18,000 Amtrak workers will take home a bonus this Christmas. Unlike the previous Administration, that cared little about Amtrak accountability, President Trump is focused on responsibly managing taxpayer dollars while putting the hardworking Americans that keep our trains running first.”

Background Information:

On January 14, 2025, the House of Representatives approved the Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act (H.R. 192), introduced by T&I Member Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), to require Amtrak to publicly disclose salary bonuses given to Amtrak executives annually.

In addition, on April 2, 2025, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act (H.R. 188), introduced by T&I Member Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), to increase transparency and accountability at Amtrak by applying the Government in the Sunshine Act’s federal open meetings requirements to meetings of Amtrak’s board of directors. Amtrak’s board is responsible for decisions about the executive pay and bonus structure.

These bills were developed following T&I Republican oversight of Amtrak executive bonuses.