Dear friend,

Please contact your Senators today and ask them to increase the funding for high speed rail to the level in the legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in July.

The U.S. Senate is currently debating the Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations legislation for the Department of Transportation (H.R. 3288). The House appropriated $4 billion for high speed rail, while the Senate's legislation currently only appropriates $1.2 billion.

These figures are separate from the $8 billion for high speed rail contained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Please ask your Senators to appropriate $4 billion for high speed rail next fiscal year and to fully fund Amtrak. A sample e-mail is provided below.

Subject: Please Increase Funding for High Speed Rail

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

As your constituent, I strongly urge you to increase funding for high speed rail to the level in the House-passed version of the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Transportation Appropriations bill (H.R. 3288). The House appropriated $4 billion for high speed rail, while the current Senate version of the legislation only appropriates $1.2 billion.

In addition to a $4 billion appropriation for high speed rail next fiscal year, I also urge you to fully fund Amtrak.

Thank you, and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]