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Last week, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) requested that Amtrak provide information regarding the "unexpected" retirement of Inspector General Fred Weiderhold, as described in a report prepared at the request of the railroad's watchdog.

Issued by law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher L.L.P., the "Report on Matters Impairing the Effectiveness and Independence of the Office of Inspector General" indicates that Amtrak's policies and procedures have "systematically violated the spirit" of the Inspector General Act, according to Grassley. Weiderhold, who served the national intercity passenger railroad for 35 years, announced his retirement on June 18, the same day the report was issued.

Grassley, the Senate Finance Committee's ranking member, is asking Amtrak officials to provide a description of the circumstances surrounding Weiderhold's retirement — specifically, the relationship between the timing of his retirement and the report — and submit all internal and personal materials relating to the departure and report.