S. 369Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

A bill to authorize and appropriate funding for grants to Amtrak for the restoration of long-distance routes and the rehiring of employees furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sponsored by Jon TesterSen. Jon Tester (D-MT)
Introduced February 23, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 11:03 PM UTC

The bill provides $165.9 million in federal funding for Amtrak to bring back reduced long‑distance train service and to rehire staff who were furloughed because of the COVID‑19 pandemic. The money is available through September 30, 2024 and is aimed at restoring service frequency within 90 days of the law’s enactment and keeping that level of service. It affects Amtrak’s operations, its employees who were laid off, and passengers who rely on long‑distance rail travel.

Key Provisions

  • Appropriates $165,926,000 for fiscal year 2021, available until September 30, 2024, for grants to Amtrak.
  • Funds may be used to restore the frequency of long‑distance routes reduced after July 1, 2020, with restoration required within 90 days of enactment and continued thereafter.
  • Funds may be used to recall and manage employees furloughed on or after October 1, 2020, due to pandemic‑related measures.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

February 23, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 23, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

February 23, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 23, 2021

II

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 369

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 23, 2021

Mr. Tester introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

A BILL

To authorize and appropriate funding for grants to Amtrak for the restoration of long-distance routes and the rehiring of employees furloughed as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic.

1.

Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation for long-distance service restoration and employee recalls

(a)

Appropriations

In addition to amounts otherwise made available, there are appropriated for fiscal year 2021, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $165,926,000, which shall remain available until September 30, 2024, for grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (commonly known as Amtrak).

(b)

Use of funds

Grant funds appropriated under subsection (a) may be used by Amtrak—

(1)

to restore, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the frequency of rail service on long-distance routes (as defined in section 24102 of title 49, United States Code) that Amtrak reduced the frequency of on or after July 1, 2020, and continue to operate such service at such frequency; and

(2)

to recall and manage employees furloughed on or after October 1, 2020, as a result of efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease pandemic.