Trump Administration Proposes Drastic Cuts to Amtrak

The Trump administration's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget includes significant increases in miliary spending, major reductions for Amtrak, and a shift in investment even more toward highways and aviation.

The administration proposes a decrease of 13.5 percent in Amtrak funding, dropping it from $2.4 billion in FY2026 to $2.1 billion in FY2027. If enacted, these cuts would reduce long-distance train service like the Empire Builder and state supported trains including the Borealis. Hopes for an expanded state network that All Aboard Minnesota (AAMN) supports would likely be dashed.

Here is a summary of the proposed cuts:

• Amtrak National Network: Reduction in FY27 to $1.45 billion (down from $1.58 billion), potentially impacting long-distance routes that serve rural areas.
• Northeast Corridor (NEC): Reduction in FY27 to $650 million (down from $850 million).
• State Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail: No new funding in FY27 and balances would be spent down from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This would impact how many Corridor ID projects can advance to Step 2 and may mean that no new Corridor ID projects – like Twin Cities to Kansas City and Saint Paul to Fargo on a daytime schedule can advance.
• High Speed Rail: No funding requested for FY27 and nearly $1 billion in budget authority from FY2026 was rescinded by Secretary Duffy.
• Federal Railroad Administration staffing: For FY2027 down 23% from 2025 levels despite the increased workload with BIL funding.

The Rail Passengers Association warned that these cuts could undermine national rail connectivity and could result in the elimination of long-distance trains, potentially leaving over 220 cities across 23 states without passenger rail service.

Funds Remaining

Thankfully, Amtrak and other FRA programs have budget balances remaining from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The administration has recently announced a $4.7 billion investment specifically for the Northeast Corridor to revitalize major hubs like New York’s Penn Station and Washington’s Union Station. Nevertheless, the hope that there would be sustained federal funding to address state of good repair, the need for new fleet, and to expand a limited system in the US of intercity passenger rail would be severely impacted if the Administration’s budget proposal were enacted.

Final funding levels must be negotiated and approved by the US House and Senate. Be sure to talk with current and prospective candidates for public office about the need to maintain funding levels and investment in passenger rail.