The Amtrak Reform Council Fact Sheet

The Council’s Statutory Charge:

Amtrak Reform Council (ARC) is an independent federal commission established under the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 (ARAA), which gave the Council a statutory mandate: (i) to recommend to Amtrak actions that the Corporation can take to improve its operational and financial performance; (ii) to monitor Amtrak's financial performance in the light of both Amtrak's own goals for financial performance, as established in its strategic business plan, and the statutory requirement that Amtrak be free of the need for operating grants after the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the ARAA; and (iii) should the Council find that Amtrak has not achieved or will not achieve either of its financial targets, then it is to forward to the Congress recommendations for a restructured and rationalized national intercity rail passenger system.

To carry out this statutory mandate, ARC will work closely with Amtrak's Board and management, the Administration, and the Congress. The Council is required to submit an annual report to the Congress, as well as reports on Amtrak's use of funds under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.

Members of the Council and Their Source of Appointment:

Gilbert E. Carmichael, Chairman	Majority Leader of the Senate
Paul M. Weyrich, Vice Chairman	Majority Leader of the Senate
Bruce Chapman	Speaker of the House
Nancy Rutledge Connery	Majority Leader of the Senate
James E. Coston	Minority Leader of the Senate
Wendell Cox	Speaker of the House
Christopher K. Gleason	Speaker of the House
S. Lee Kling	Minority Leader of the House
Hon. Norman Y. Mineta	Ex Officio
Charles Moneypenny	The President
Hon. John O. Norquist	The President

The Council's Staff:

Executive Director	Thomas A. Till
Senior Financial Analyst	Michael A. Mates
Legal Counsel	Kenneth P. Kolson
Transportation Analyst	Mary B. Phillips
Public Affairs Specialist	Deirdre O'Sullivan
Administrative Specialist	Dee R. Gray