DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - GOP critic calls Joe Biden's $53 billion high-speed rail plan 'insanity'

**Idorsearogele** · 02-10-2011, 03:00 AM

Yes, it is. A total and utter waste of money. But at least people will be able to get to the unemployment office really, really fast.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/362107;_...vFrwT1UctzfNdF

GOP critic calls Joe Biden's $53 billion high-speed rail plan 'insanity'

By Daniel B. Wood – Tue Feb 8, 8:39 pm ET

Los Angeles – Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday proposed that the US government infuse $53 billion into a national high-speed rail network. The announcement was met immediately by deep skepticism from two House Republicans that could be crucial to the plan's success, raising questions about whether it can clear Capitol Hill.

House Transportation Committee Chair Rep. John Mica (R) of Florida said previous administration grants to high-speed rail projects were a failure, producing "snail speed trains to nowhere." He called Amtrak a "Soviet-style train system" and said it "hijacked" nearly all the administration's rail projects.

Meanwhile, Railroads Subcommittee Chair Rep. Bill Shuster (R) of Pennsylvania said Mr. Biden's plan was "insanity," adding: "Rail projects that are not economically sound will not 'win the future' " – coopting the slogan President Obama coined in his State of the Union address.

With Republicans controlling the House and dedicating themselves to deep budget cuts, any new spending proposed by the White House will face stiff scrutiny. But Congressman Shuster offers some hope of compromise. On Jan. 28 in Hartford, Conn., he proclaimed his support for expanding high-speed rail in the Northeast, backing a network that could stretch from Montreal to Washington, D.C.

02-10-2011, 03:00 AM	#1
Idorsearogele Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 435 Senior Member	GOP critic calls Joe Biden's $53 billion high-speed rail plan 'insanity' Yes, it is. A total and utter waste of money. But at least people will be able to get to the unemployment office really, really fast. http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/362107;_...vFrwT1UctzfNdF GOP critic calls Joe Biden's $53 billion high-speed rail plan 'insanity' By Daniel B. Wood – Tue Feb 8, 8:39 pm ET Los Angeles – Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday proposed that the US government infuse $53 billion into a national high-speed rail network. The announcement was met immediately by deep skepticism from two House Republicans that could be crucial to the plan's success, raising questions about whether it can clear Capitol Hill. House Transportation Committee Chair Rep. John Mica (R) of Florida said previous administration grants to high-speed rail projects were a failure, producing "snail speed trains to nowhere." He called Amtrak a "Soviet-style train system" and said it "hijacked" nearly all the administration's rail projects. Meanwhile, Railroads Subcommittee Chair Rep. Bill Shuster (R) of Pennsylvania said Mr. Biden's plan was "insanity," adding: "Rail projects that are not economically sound will not 'win the future' " – coopting the slogan President Obama coined in his State of the Union address. With Republicans controlling the House and dedicating themselves to deep budget cuts, any new spending proposed by the White House will face stiff scrutiny. But Congressman Shuster offers some hope of compromise. On Jan. 28 in Hartford, Conn., he proclaimed his support for expanding high-speed rail in the Northeast, backing a network that could stretch from Montreal to Washington, D.C.
	Quote