HOUSE BILL: High-Speed Rail Act of 2018 (Passed)

[RFayette 🇻🇦]

No objections

[wxtransit]

I don't actually believe that creating a transcontinental passenger route would be worthwhile, aircraft would provide far too much competition. Passenger routes generally work best for moderate distances. Now I do think that we could see a lot of success from building a transcontinental line for freight traffic and charging a usage fee would likely make a lot of money for the government. That seems more like something for a different bill, however.

Don't have enough time to write up a full response, so here's a few articles:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/rail-journeys/27-reasons-trains-are-better-than-planes/
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jat/2017/8426926/
https://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/trains-planes-and-automobiles/?scp=1&sq=paul%20krugman%20high-speed%20rail&st=cse
https://theconversation.com/amp/with-planning-high-speed-rail-could-reduce-flight-demand-21687
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/42270740/ns/travel-travel_tips/t/trains-versus-planes-survey-shows-pull-toward-tracks/

You're right about transcontinental routes, the technology just isn't simply there yet to make a timely and affordable train from LA to New York, but relatively shorter distances like OKC to Dallas to Houston make more sense, so there may need to be an amendment there.

[Sestak]

Alright then, if that's the course we want to take:

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We can copy parts 2 and 3 into the other two bills as well.

However, this would also mean that we are committing to getting tax reform done this Congress.

Bump.

[NeverAgain]

Just want to say, support the bill - add Sestak's amendment so we can pay for it!

ATLASRAILS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Since Wxtransit is no longer in the house I would like to assume sponsorship.

Representatives have 24 hours to object.

Ninja is now sponsor.

[Sestak]

Alright then, if that's the course we want to take:

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We can copy parts 2 and 3 into the other two bills as well.

However, this would also mean that we are committing to getting tax reform done this Congress.

Bump.

BUMP

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I thought that was dependent on another amendment in a different bill, which was being delayed while sponsorship was assumed, was that incorrect?

[Sestak]

I thought that was dependent on another amendment in a different bill, which was being delayed while sponsorship was assumed, was that incorrect?

This is the basis one. The other two are the dependents.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I need sponsor feedback on the amendment in that case.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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Sponsor Feedback: None Given
Status: Vote will start if none is given within 24 hours from my previous post.

[Sirius_]

The amendment is friendly, though I will be adding to it.

[Sestak]

The amendment is friendly, though I will be adding to it.

Wait, to the stuff the amendment adds or just the bill at large?

[Sirius_]

The amendment is friendly, though I will be adding to it.

Wait, to the stuff the amendment adds or just the bill at large?

I plan on making an amendment which does the same for the 13th congress if CAF-12 is underfunded.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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Sponsor Feedback: Friendly
Status: Representatives have 24 hours to object.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The amendment has been adopted.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Can I see the full text of the bill with this amendment?

[Sirius_]

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Here's the new text.

[Sirius_]

I amend section 4 to the following.

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[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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Sponsor Feedback: Origination
Status: Representatives have 24 hours to object.

[Sestak]

Object.

I think there was a misunderstanding here. CAF-12 won't end at the end of Congress; it'll continue to find the program's it does indefinitely. It's called that because it funds 12th congress bills. "Funded" here actually refers to all the appropriations being accounted for over a period of ten years (which, now that I think about it, should be specified; I'll prepare an amendment to do that), but I don't think this is needed. A CAF-13 vehicle would only be used if we wanted to do something similar to find several bills next Congress.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

With that bill text above containing Sestak's amendment I am now ready to vote AYE on this and I second Representative Sestak's objection to Representative Ninja's amendment. Once all of that is cleared up I recommend we move onto a final vote on this bill.

[Sirius_]

I withdraw the amendment given the objections to it.

[Terry the Fat Shark]

With that, I motion we move on to a final vote on this bill.

[Sirius_]

With that, I motion we move on to a final vote on this bill.

Seconded.

[Sestak]

With that, I motion we move on to a final vote on this bill.

24 hours to object.