WASHINGTON — A partial government shutdown, which could happen tonight, will include the U.S. Department of Transportation and could be felt in several rail-related areas.
Unless President Donald Trump and Congress reach a deal today, the shutdown of the DOT and eight other agencies will occur at midnight tonight (Dec.21). On Twitter today, President Trump tweeted that “there will be a shutdown that will last for a very long time” unless Congress passes a bill including $5 billion in funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
More than 40 percent of personnel at the Federal Railroad Administration and all but 65 of the 558 staff at the Federal Transit Administration will be furloughed. The Surface Transportation Board will fully shut down.
At the FRA, those involved in essential safety roles will continue to work, although without pay. Those are primarily at the Office of Railroad Safety, which includes some FRA headquarters staff, field inspectors, and those that manage accident investigations.
Transit agencies expecting grant funds or reimbursements for ongoing operations and projects will not see their checks until agency appropriations and authorizations are resolved. The FTA would retain 15 essential life and safety staff, including seven for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) incident notification and response.
Amtrak will not be affected in the short term. Trains will keep rolling to get holiday travelers to their destinations, although those heading to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, or other national parks may find them closed.
The park closures would also include two sites popular with railfans. According to the Department of Interior, visitors services and other facilities at both Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pa., and Golden Spike National Historic Site in Utah will close the president does not sign a funding resolution.
A shutdown would mark the second time this year the parks have had to be closed due to a lack of government funding. It previously happened in February but only lasted a few hours. In past shutdowns, Congress has appropriated funds for back pay to both furloughed and working employees
I too would like to see that five billion go towards Amtrak instead of wasted on a wall that was nothing more than a campaign promise desperately trying to be filled to ensure reelection. Along with that promise it was insisted Mexico was going to pay for it as well, which of course they won’t. So here we are trying to squeeze out of the budget funds that can be utilized much better elsewhere. Our government should not only be trying to cleanup Amtrak but expand it throughout the country. Our national rail system has turned into a joke, if just not an after thought. As a die hard rail fan, I will continue to ride Amtrak any chance I get, but it isn’t as much fun as it used to be.
If Schumer wants a new Hudson River tunnel to replace the Holland, then he better sign on to the wall.
What is really silly is Congress could “undo” the wall just as fast as they fund it. Just look at how quickly ACA got called back after Obama left.
Say “yes” now to Trump to move on and then rescind it after he leaves office.
It’s a common tactic.
3 of the Mighty Five National Parks in Utah are remaining open due to a grant by the State of Utah. Zions, Bryce Canyon and Arches are all open with Visitor Center services. Other services have been suspended. But at least these three national parks are open! Thanks Utah Governor Herbert.
Five Billion for a dumb a## wall! This guys lost what little mind he ever had. Put that amount towards funding Amtrak and we could have decent passenger trains in this country.
So does this mean PTC technically gets a bit of a delay in implication due to the fact about half of the FRA can’t check to make sure that these railroads have it?