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H.R.5208 / 103rd Congress

To establish limits on wage continuation and severance benefits for Amtrak employees displaced by a discontinuance of service, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 6, 1994

Amends Federal transportation law to limit to not more than six months' pay the amount of any wage continuation or severance benefit that may be received by any Amtrak employee terminated as a result of a discontinuance of intercity rail passenger service. Authorizes Amtrak to require an employee whose position is eliminated by such a discontinuance to transfer to any vacant position for which the employee can be made qualified on any part of Amtrak's system. Allows the employee, if such transfer requires a change in residence or seniority district, to choose: (1) a transfer to the position and coverage by the collective bargaining agreement of the seniority district to which the employee is transferred; or (2) a voluntary furlough at the employee's home location and receipt of protective benefits as limited by this Act.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Barton, Joe [R-TX-6] · R–TX

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
7 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Feb 5, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.5208 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.5208 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.5208 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.5208 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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