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I hear the train a-comin', its rolling round the bend...

Posted by Carla Axtman on April 25, 2008

Just like a steam engine, Gordon Smith is full of hot air. Yesterday in his testimony to the Surface Transportation Board, Smith challenged voters to examine his Senate record on helping our nation's railroads:

My congressional record, if anyone cares to check, is one of staunch advocacy for a vibrant railroad industry. I believe a healthy railroad industry is absolutely vital to our economy.

A healthy and vibrant railroad industry surely includes the safety of our rail system.

Unless you live in Smith Myth land, that is. Then rail safety doesn't appear to matter much.

Despite terrorist attacks on rail transit in Spain in 2004, the United Kingdom and India in 2005, Gordon Smith opposed increased funding for rail and transit security programs in the U.S. $25 million of the funding would have gone to expanding the Amtrack police force by 200 officers.

Later that same day, Smith voted against a smaller increase in rail security funding. Interestingly, $50 million of those funds were designated for security personnel working overtime in "high threat areas".

In 2004 (six months after the terrorist attack on the rail system in Madrid, Spain) Smith opposed an amendment to increase rail and transit security by $350 million.

Here we are, years after 9/11 and terrorist attacks against our allied nations, and our railways are just as vulnerable as ever. Gordon Smith refuses to help secure our passenger and freight lines, no matter the cost.

Smith continues to keep us on the wrong track.

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Jeff Merkley was born in the small town of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, the son of a sawmill worker. He's fought hard for working families in Oregon and he's ready to help lead America.

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