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Yesterday, the Senate voted 52-46 against an amendment introduced by Sens. Robert Byrd (D-W. Va.), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) that would have allocated $1.04 billion for Amtrak in fiscal-year 2006.

"With this amendment, we had a chance to send a strong signal that we were opposed to the administration’s plan to bankrupt Amtrak," said Carper in a prepared statement.

Bush Administration officials believe the vote sent a strong message, as well.

"The Senate’s rejection of the amendment signals that it is ready to begin an earnest discussion on the best way to undertake desperately needed reforms to put intercity passenger rail on a stable footing for the future," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. "I look forward to working closely with Congress on the president’s proposal to rebuild the Northeast Corridor, revitalize Amtrak and partner with states to improve passenger rail."

However, the administration’s plan to provide Amtrak no federal funds next year isn’t the solution, Carper believes.

"The fight should not be over keeping the trains running," he said. "It should be over how we can develop a national passenger-rail policy for this country."