The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Moderation

Violence > Graphic

0.2231456805

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Harassment

0.1487694448

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Violence

0.1403613365

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Hate

0.0593926059

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Harassment > Threatening

0.0088381683

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Sexual

0.0061576633

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Sexual > Minors

0.0060932627

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Self-Harm

0.0050700673

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Hate > Threatening

0.0003874585

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Self-Harm > Intent

0.0001798788

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Self-Harm > Instructions

3.16956E-5

OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

4.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

70.7

Gunning-Fog Score

1.8

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

3.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

2

Sprache Readability Score

1.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

1

Sprache Difficult Word Count

5

John McCain

Mr. President, before the majority leader leaves the floor, are we contemplating a recorded vote on this, I would ask the majority leader, or what is the will of the Democratic leader?

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

55.8

Gunning-Fog Score

11.4

Coleman-Liau Index

11.2

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

8.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.2

Sprache Readability Score

3.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

7

Sprache Difficult Word Count

9

Trent Lott

Mr. President, if I could respond, I believe we have it cleared and that this could be moved by voice vote.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.103

Leans Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

2

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

99.5

Gunning-Fog Score

4.2

Coleman-Liau Index

7.5

SMOG Index

3.3

Automated Readability Index

2.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.3

Sprache Readability Score

2.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

5

Sprache Difficult Word Count

6

John McCain

Does the Senator from Pennsylvania want a recorded vote on this or is a voice vote sufficient?

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.077

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

55.2

Gunning-Fog Score

11.5

Coleman-Liau Index

10.9

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

8.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.6

Sprache Readability Score

3.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

4

Sprache Difficult Word Count

5

Trent Lott

If I could respond to the question, I know Pennsylvania is very supportive of Amtrak and would like this proposal to move forward as quickly as possible so I hope that we wouldn't have to have a recorded vote.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.608

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

41.4

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

9.6

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

6

Sprache Difficult Word Count

13

John McCain

I thank the majority leader. The reason why I asked is that the Senator from Pennsylvania had asked the question as to whether we would have a recorded vote.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

0.361

Somewhat Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

63.8

Gunning-Fog Score

8.6

Coleman-Liau Index

10

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

6.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.5

Sprache Readability Score

3.2

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

7

Sprache Difficult Word Count

10

John McCain

I thank the Democratic leader as well as the majority leader for their kind remarks.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.557

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

56.3

Gunning-Fog Score

8.7

Coleman-Liau Index

11.3

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

7.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.9

Sprache Readability Score

2.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

4

The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

66.8

Gunning-Fog Score

5.7

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.3

Automated Readability Index

3.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

2.9

Sprache Readability Score

1.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

2

Sprache Difficult Word Count

5

John McCain

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.226

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

6.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

60.7

Gunning-Fog Score

8.5

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.1

Sprache Readability Score

2.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

6

Sprache Difficult Word Count

7

The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.60944

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.5

Gunning-Fog Score

6.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.3

Automated Readability Index

5.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

1.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

4

(The text of the amendment is printed in today's Record under "Amendments Submitted.")

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

44

Gunning-Fog Score

8.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.9

Sprache Readability Score

2.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

6

Sprache Difficult Word Count

6

The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

9.9

Gunning-Fog Score

1.4

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

7.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.9

Sprache Readability Score

1.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

4

John McCain

I thank the Chair.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.361

Somewhat Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

0

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

100

Gunning-Fog Score

1.6

Coleman-Liau Index

4.7

SMOG Index

3.3

Automated Readability Index

0

Dale-Chall Readability Score

0.2

Sprache Readability Score

1.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

0

Sprache Difficult Word Count

0

John McCain

I thank the majority leader and the Democratic leader for their kind remarks. I especially wish to thank Senator Hutchison and Senator Kerry and Senator Breaux who spent literally hundreds of hours on this bill. I think it is important to point out for the Record that this effort was begun by the majority leader when he was chairman of the subcommittee which is now chaired by the Senator from Texas, and the groundwork was laid through his strong efforts.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.42857

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.42857

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.78846

VADER

0.907

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

49.7

Gunning-Fog Score

13.7

Coleman-Liau Index

11.8

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.3

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

20

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

John McCain

I might say that there were several occasions when we were gridlocked on this bill and we gathered in the majority leader's office and he helped us find ways to reach common ground.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.60944

VADER

0.026

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

52.8

Gunning-Fog Score

18

Coleman-Liau Index

10.4

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

8

Sprache Difficult Word Count

9

John McCain

Mr. President, this compromise reauthorization legislation is the product of more than 3 years of bipartisan negotiations. Let there be no mistake. Amtrak is on the verge of bankruptcy. Fundamental reforms are needed immediately if there is to be any possibility of addressing Amtrak's financial crisis and turning it into a viable operation. This measure is long overdue. Some fear, as I do, that even with these reforms Amtrak may not make it.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.07692

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.07692

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.1431

VADER

-0.898

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

49.1

Gunning-Fog Score

11.8

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

7.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.1

Sprache Readability Score

4.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

26

Sprache Difficult Word Count

26

John McCain

Again, I thank Senator Hutchison for all her hard work, along with Senator Breaux and Senator Kerry. Senator Breaux and Senator Kerry will be in the Chamber shortly, I am told, to add their comments. Senator Hutchison will describe the details of her amendment which have to do with labor, contracting out, liability, and the sunset trigger which is part of this legislation.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.077

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

48.5

Gunning-Fog Score

12.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.6

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

22

Sprache Difficult Word Count

16

John McCain

I think everyone knows that I hold strong reservations about Amtrak. After subsidizing for 26 years what was to have been a 2-year experiment, I believe Congress must carefully evaluate whether this is the best use of our limited taxpayers dollars.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.29928

VADER

0.796

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

50.6

Gunning-Fog Score

16

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.8

Sprache Readability Score

4.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

10

Sprache Difficult Word Count

11

John McCain

Since 1971, Amtrak has received over $20 billion in Federal tax dollars. I know that Amtrak has strived to reduce its operating costs and increase its revenues. And, yes, a portion of Amtrak's financial challenges are due to statutory constraints that Congress imposed and has failed to lift, but the fact remains the Amtrak 12-year experiment was unsuccessful 26 years ago, it is unsuccessful today, and the prospects of its future are rather bleak.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.5

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.5

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.99853

VADER

-0.519

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

50.6

Gunning-Fog Score

15.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

26

Sprache Difficult Word Count

28

John McCain

I realize that my pessimistic view of Amtrak's future, based on its track record, is not shared by the majority of the Congress. That is why I have worked with my colleagues to bring some semblance of legitimacy to this operation. The bill before us does not go as far as many of us would like. For some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, they may say it goes too far. Regardless of the position held, the bill does provide for some comprehensive changes.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.63636

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.63636

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.335

VADER

0.151

Leans Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

68.8

Gunning-Fog Score

11.6

Coleman-Liau Index

9.1

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

7.3

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.6

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

21

Sprache Difficult Word Count

21

John McCain

According to a November 5, 1997, letter from Tom Downs, "enactment of the Amtrak Accountability and Reform Act of 1997 would be the single-most significant action the Congress can take to aid Amtrak in achieving operating self-sufficiency by 2002." He goes on to say, "The legislative reforms contained in the bill will allow Amtrak to operate in a more businesslike, cost-effective manner, thus allowing greater productivity and increased savings." Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the letter from Mr. Tom Downs, who is the president and chief executive officer of Amtrak, be printed in the Record.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.75

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.75

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.75786

VADER

0.802

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

46.9

Gunning-Fog Score

14

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

37

Sprache Difficult Word Count

39

John McCain

In closing, Mr. President, I want to remind my colleagues that even if Congress approves the statutory reforms and the $2.3 billion for capital improvements is released, Amtrak's viability remains uncertain. Let's be clear. Amtrak is $1 billion in debt and that debt level is predicted by the General Accounting Office to double to $2 billion in the next 2 years. Tom Downs predicts that without this legislation Amtrak could be bankrupt by next spring. Others predict even sooner.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.45455

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.45455

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.8873

VADER

-0.44

Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

56.4

Gunning-Fog Score

11.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.2

Sprache Readability Score

4.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

28

Sprache Difficult Word Count

31

John McCain

I hope the dire predictions are wrong but prudence dictates that while we empower Amtrak to meet its financial goals and protect taxpayers, Congress and the administration prepare for and have a clear understanding of the long-range economic effects of a potential bankruptcy.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.27273

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.27273

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

0.691

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

19.9

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

John McCain

I requested the General Accounting Office to conduct an analysis of this issue and submit a report to the committee providing an overview of the financial issues and implications associated with an Amtrak liquidation. The report will include an analysis of the financial implications for the Federal Government, Amtrak's creditor's and the railroad retirement system.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

9.7

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

8.3

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

24

Sprache Difficult Word Count

25

John McCain

I strongly support passage of this reform measure. However, I will continue to hold strong reservations over Amtrak's ability to ever turn Amtrak into a profitable, subsidy-free operation. One of the most important elements of this bill is that it provides the opportunity for us to shut off the spigot if and when it is clear the promise of financial viability will not or cannot be achieved.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.8473

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.86667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.86667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.26868

VADER

0.964

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42

Gunning-Fog Score

15.5

Coleman-Liau Index

11.9

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

20

Sprache Difficult Word Count

25

John McCain

What is happening here is not just a piece of reform legislation, Mr. President. We are releasing $2.3 billion in what I have previously described as the great train robbery of 1997. Back in the old days some citizens of my State used to rob trains. But now the trains have decided to rob the taxpayers of $2.3 billion with the help of this body.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.95551

VADER

-0.103

Leans Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

77.8

Gunning-Fog Score

11.4

Coleman-Liau Index

8.1

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

4.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.8

Sprache Readability Score

3.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

13

Sprache Difficult Word Count

17

John McCain

The proviso, or the rationale that allowed the $2.3 billion to be fenced off was $2.3 billion in back taxes. The only problem with that scenario, Mr. President, is Amtrak has never paid any taxes. So we are providing another $2.3 billion giveaway to Amtrak. These reforms release that money.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.2

Slightly Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.2

Slightly Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.33647

VADER

-0.402

Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.2

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

61.3

Gunning-Fog Score

12

Coleman-Liau Index

10.3

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

4.5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.5

Sprache Readability Score

3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

19

Sprache Difficult Word Count

14

John McCain

I will never forget when I first came to Congress in 1982, Mr. President. I was visited by a man whom I respect as much as any man, Graham Claytor, who was then the head of Amtrak. And he gave me in graphic detail a long and extensive briefing about how Amtrak was going to be viable financially by the year 1985. That's only 12 years ago. But every 2 or 3 years Amtrak has come over to Congress with another plan to become financially viable within 2 or 3 years, and we know the answer. The answer is that they have now received more than $20 billion of the taxpayers' money.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.29928

VADER

0.521

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

6.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

76.5

Gunning-Fog Score

10

Coleman-Liau Index

7.1

SMOG Index

10.1

Automated Readability Index

4.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4

Sprache Readability Score

4.2

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

23

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

John McCain

I say enough is enough. And I commit now that if this reform and reauthorization plan does not make Amtrak financially viable, I will do everything in my power as a Senator and as chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee to see that it comes to an end.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.19722

VADER

0.296

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

51.2

Gunning-Fog Score

13.2

Coleman-Liau Index

10.2

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5

Sprache Readability Score

4.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

13

John McCain

I wish Amtrak every success with the passage of this legislation by the House. I will hope and pray that Amtrak succeeds. But I must tell you I am not optimistic that they will succeed and I hope to God that this is the last trip to the taxpayers' pocket book that we make on behalf of Amtrak.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.3979

VADER

0.967

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

74.9

Gunning-Fog Score

10.5

Coleman-Liau Index

7.7

SMOG Index

9.9

Automated Readability Index

7.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4

Sprache Readability Score

4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

11

Sprache Difficult Word Count

12

John McCain

Mr. President, again I thank Senator Hutchison who has done such a magnificent job on this legislation. She has worked countless numbers of hours. She has made compromises that clearly at the beginning she was not prepared to do. She made these compromises because she knew that that is the essence of legislation and the lessons of getting legislative results. She deserves enormous credit, along with my dear friend, Senator Kerry and Senator Breaux, from Massachusetts and Louisiana, who played a great role. Bipartisanship is what this place is supposed to be about on issues that don't lend themselves to partisanship, and I believe that this is truly a bipartisan effort of which I think all of us can be proud. Again, my thanks to Senator Hutchison.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.982

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

56.2

Gunning-Fog Score

10.1

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.3

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

37

Sprache Difficult Word Count

35

John McCain

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

0

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

100

Gunning-Fog Score

1.2

Coleman-Liau Index

8.6

SMOG Index

3.3

Automated Readability Index

0

Dale-Chall Readability Score

8

Sprache Readability Score

1.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

3

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Brownback). The Senator from Texas.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

44

Gunning-Fog Score

1.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

5.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

8.9

Sprache Readability Score

1.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

5

Sprache Difficult Word Count

6

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senators Santorum and Jeffords be added as original cosponsors of the substitute.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

0.494

Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

32.4

Gunning-Fog Score

12.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

9.6

Sprache Readability Score

2.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

11

Sprache Difficult Word Count

11

The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.60944

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.5

Gunning-Fog Score

6.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.3

Automated Readability Index

5.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

1.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

4

Kay Bailey Hutchison

I am ready to vote, after which we will then debate.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

0.361

Somewhat Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

3.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

88

Gunning-Fog Score

4.4

Coleman-Liau Index

5.6

SMOG Index

3.3

Automated Readability Index

1.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

2

Sprache Readability Score

2.2

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

1

Sprache Difficult Word Count

2

Kay Bailey Hutchison

THE PRESIDING OFFICER. If there be no further debate, the question is on agreeing to the amendment.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.60944

VADER

0.052

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

53.9

Gunning-Fog Score

8.1

Coleman-Liau Index

11.9

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.1

Sprache Readability Score

2.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

4

Sprache Difficult Word Count

7

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Mr. President, I want to say that what Senator McCain said is absolutely true. I think it is fairly clear from his comments that he is not a fan of Amtrak. But as the chairman of the committee, he worked with all of us who do care about Amtrak, who do want passenger rail for our country, to try to give Amtrak a chance to succeed. I think all of us have come together on a bill that will give Amtrak a chance to succeed and will also make Amtrak accountable. That is what Senator McCain is looking for and that is what all of us hope will happen.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.8

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.8

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.84583

VADER

0.966

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

77.4

Gunning-Fog Score

9.1

Coleman-Liau Index

7.4

SMOG Index

9.4

Automated Readability Index

6.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.4

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

24

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

Kay Bailey Hutchison

In fact, Senator Lott, the majority leader, who has worked on this for, as he said, 3 years -- he was the Surface Transportation Subcommittee chairman before I took that position, before he became majority leader -- Senator McCain, Senator Hollings, Senator Breaux, Senator Kerry, all contributed greatly to a very hard-fought compromise. Because, of course, we are making huge changes in the law as it affects Amtrak and passenger rail in our country. Anything that makes this many changes, of course, could not be done easily. It took the labor groups, it took the trial lawyer groups to come together and work with us, along with Senators such as Senator McCain who want accountability. So I think we have come together in a bill that will give Amtrak a chance. It is not a slam dunk. It is not an assured success. This is the first step in many steps that must be made for Amtrak to be able to operate without subsidies in the future.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

2.3979

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.75

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.75

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.75786

VADER

0.346

Somewhat Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.3

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

57.9

Gunning-Fog Score

11.7

Coleman-Liau Index

10.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

38

Sprache Difficult Word Count

39

Kay Bailey Hutchison

What this bill has done is authorize the subsidies over the next 5 years that eventually will phase out. At the end of 5 years there will not be operational subsidies by the taxpayers of Amtrak. We have all agreed to that. That is why it was essential that we have reforms, so that Amtrak could be more efficient, so it could compete in the marketplace, so that it could have a passenger operation that would be much improved and, hopefully, bring more people into the system so it could operate without the subsidies. In addition, the $2.3 billion in infrastructure improvements, which are necessary both for the efficient operations and for the higher technology trains that we hope they will be able to operate, is contingent on these reforms. I think it was very wise, in the budget reconciliation bill, that the $2.3 billion that would be put into investment in capital improvements would be tied to these very important reforms. Because without the reforms, Amtrak has no chance to succeed -- none. With the reforms, it has a chance. That is what our bill today will give it. I would like to go through a few of the most important points of what we did today.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

2.56495

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.92

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.92

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.79321

VADER

0.985

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

61.6

Gunning-Fog Score

14.3

Coleman-Liau Index

10.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

44

Sprache Difficult Word Count

35

Kay Bailey Hutchison

First, some of the labor protections that were mandated by the Federal Government are now taken out of the law. The 6-year statutory severance benefits will now be in place for 180 days as they are negotiated at the bargaining table, after which they will be totally lifted from all negotiation and there will be no Federal mandates. In other words, today if a line goes out of business or Amtrak takes it off, those employees today would be entitled by Federal law to 6 years of severance pay. Most Americans do not have jobs that have 6-year termination agreements. In fact, when Amtrak first came into place, it was a different time. Today, these severance packages are about to break the system, and I think the unions realize that and they are willing to say we will put it on the negotiating table and we will let the free market reign. So that is the first thing we are doing.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.45455

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.45455

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.8873

VADER

0.758

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

61.2

Gunning-Fog Score

14.2

Coleman-Liau Index

9.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.2

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

31

Sprache Difficult Word Count

32

Kay Bailey Hutchison

The second thing we are doing is taking the prohibition against any contracting out out of the law once again. It will be part of the contracts for the next 2 years, but it is on the negotiating table now so that Amtrak, if it sees that it can make efficiencies by contracting out certain services, will be able to do that in a negotiated framework. So that will be on the table as well.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.5

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.5

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.8473

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.58779

VADER

0.827

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

63

Gunning-Fog Score

14.3

Coleman-Liau Index

8.2

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.3

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.3

Sprache Readability Score

4.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

10

Sprache Difficult Word Count

12

Kay Bailey Hutchison

It is very important that Amtrak bring its labor costs into line because, in fact, if you look at other forms of transportation, the labor costs in passenger rail transportation are lopsided. For instance, no airline has more than 37 percent total labor expense, yet Amtrak is at 54 percent of its total expenses in labor. No competing passenger industry has similar protection rules that are mandated by the Federal Government. In fact, Greyhound drivers and mechanics, who might be laid off because of service discontinuances, are guaranteed 7 days' notice under union contracts; no statutory guarantee against contracting out. So I think if you are looking at transportation in its totality in our country, you have to have the ability to compete. So we have to have the ability at the bargaining table to bring these costs in line, if Amtrak is going to be a viable alternative form of transportation.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.22222

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.22222

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.42744

VADER

0.265

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42

Gunning-Fog Score

17.5

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

44

Sprache Difficult Word Count

40

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Another major area that needed some limitations was liability. Our substitute bill provides for a global passenger liability cap of $200 million. I think this is very important. For any one accident there will be a cap, so Amtrak will be able to buy insurance. That is what we are trying to do, is have some sort of quantifiable limit so we will know what the costs would be in the most extreme circumstances. And Amtrak could buy insurance to cover that, hopefully at a reasonable cost.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.29412

Slightly Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.29412

Slightly Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.57054

VADER

-0.235

Slightly Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

57.9

Gunning-Fog Score

12.2

Coleman-Liau Index

10.4

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

6.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.2

Sprache Readability Score

4.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

19

Sprache Difficult Word Count

23

Kay Bailey Hutchison

As Senator McCain mentioned, there is a trigger on this. There will be an Amtrak Reform Council appointed to monitor Amtrak's progress with these new reforms, to look at the 5-year glidepath that Amtrak is on, to try to get to the point that there will be no more taxpayer subsidies of Amtrak. This Amtrak Reform Council is going to look at the Amtrak operation and the reforms and see how Amtrak is doing. After 2 years they will submit a strategic plan for Amtrak, and they will also report to Congress if they just don't think Amtrak has a chance to make it, after which Congress will be able, then, to either implement the plan, the strategic plan that would be put forward, or pull the plug on Amtrak.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.61904

VADER

0.382

Somewhat Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

57.3

Gunning-Fog Score

15.8

Coleman-Liau Index

9.3

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

34

Sprache Difficult Word Count

24

Kay Bailey Hutchison

These are accountability standards that I think are reasonable. Certainly we want to put good money into helping Amtrak succeed, but if it is going to be hopeless, we don't want to throw good money after bad. So I think the accountability is a very important part of this compromise.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.45455

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.45455

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.8873

VADER

0.265

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

56.3

Gunning-Fog Score

11.5

Coleman-Liau Index

11

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

8.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.7

Sprache Readability Score

3.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

9

Sprache Difficult Word Count

10

Kay Bailey Hutchison

We also provide in this bill for interstate rail compacts, so that two States that have traffic that would warrant, perhaps, a joint effort toward rail transportation could come together, could pool their resources and provide for rail transportation in their States. I think that is a very important step, for our States to be able to form compacts, because that will add to the options of rail transportation.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.56495

VADER

0.265

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

48

Gunning-Fog Score

18.4

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

14

Sprache Difficult Word Count

14

Kay Bailey Hutchison

It also provides that Amtrak will have to give 180 days' notice if they are going to discontinue a route. The previous law required 90 days' notice. That is not enough time for a State to be able to step in and help Amtrak, especially if it's a State that has a legislature that only meets every other year and would have to make some emergency arrangements.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.29928

VADER

0.026

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

65.5

Gunning-Fog Score

13.1

Coleman-Liau Index

8.8

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.9

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

14

Kay Bailey Hutchison

So I think we have several new parts of the law that will help very much in giving Amtrak the ability to succeed and also in giving more options to our States to add to the rail passenger capabilities in our country. Because, you see, I think one of the reasons that Amtrak is not only viable but a very important part of an intermodal mobility system for our country is because cities are now going more and more into intracity rail systems. Even in southern States, in my State of Texas, now, in Dallas, Dallas has a rail train system that goes out of the Amtrak station. So I am very happy that the Texas Eagle Amtrak train will be able to start in Chicago, IL, come down through Missouri, through Arkansas, over through east Texas into Dallas and Fort Worth. People can get off the train in Dallas or Fort Worth and they can get on an intracity train and go all over the city of Dallas. They can go to the zoo, they can go to the museums, they can go out north where the commuting traffic is. They will be able eventually to go to the airport.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.78947

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.78947

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.96

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

56.9

Gunning-Fog Score

14.1

Coleman-Liau Index

8.5

SMOG Index

11.9

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

33

Sprache Difficult Word Count

31

Kay Bailey Hutchison

So, as more cities are beginning to have rail transportation options, then the feeding in of Amtrak also provides more passengers for Amtrak and more mobility for the citizens of our country. I love the fact that you can go from Chicago all the way down through Texas to San Antonio and then get on another Amtrak train, the Sunset Limited, and go to Los Angeles or all the way over to Florida.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.58779

VADER

0.511

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.3

Gunning-Fog Score

18.4

Coleman-Liau Index

9.7

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.3

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

Kay Bailey Hutchison

These systems will provide vacation capabilities for people in our country to see the sights of America on a train. I think it is something that has been so successful in Europe through the years that it will also have a resurrection in America that will provide more opportunities for families to see this great country from a train and have that experience that we really almost lost in the last 25 or 30 years.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.8473

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.14

Leans Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

43.6

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

10.3

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

11

Kay Bailey Hutchison

So I think what we are doing today is not propping up a historic, old, antiquated type of transportation that we have known in the past in this country. That is not what we are doing today. What we are doing today is providing a new, vibrant option for rail transportation to be added to the air transportation that is so terrific in our country and the bus transportation and the automobiles and highways that provide mobility options for all kinds of people -- people who can't drive and people who don't want to drive. People who don't live near airports would be able to go to a train station that is fed from buses from small communities all over our States, going into an Amtrak train station where someone can get off a bus in a very small town and get onto an Amtrak train and go into cities from Florida to California, from Illinois to Massachusetts, and all the way down to Texas.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.29412

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.29412

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.57054

VADER

0.513

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.4

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

9.7

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

30

Sprache Difficult Word Count

31

Kay Bailey Hutchison

So I think it is a very exciting thing we are doing. That is why I have worked so hard with my colleagues, Senator Kerry, Senator Breaux, Senator Hollings and Senator McCain, to make this a reality, to give Amtrak a chance. Because if Amtrak can compete with the other kinds of transportation, I think it will not be a relic of the past but a very important part of an overall transportation system for the future for our country, for our children to have this experience, for our elderly people to have the mobility that train passenger systems can give.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

3.13549

VADER

0.652

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

45.3

Gunning-Fog Score

17.8

Coleman-Liau Index

10.1

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

24

Sprache Difficult Word Count

21

Kay Bailey Hutchison

I am very excited that we have come to this agreement. I appreciate the bipartisan spirit in which this agreement has been made.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.3979

VADER

0.521

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

59.1

Gunning-Fog Score

13.3

Coleman-Liau Index

10.8

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

5.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.3

Sprache Readability Score

2.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

4

Sprache Difficult Word Count

5

Kay Bailey Hutchison

I thank the Senators who are waiting to speak and I yield the floor.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.361

Somewhat Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

4.2

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

89.9

Gunning-Fog Score

5.6

Coleman-Liau Index

6.9

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

3.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.1

Sprache Readability Score

2.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

3

Jim Jeffords

Mr. President, today we move another step closer to preserving our Nation's passenger rail system. The desperate call for action signals the importance of rail travel and the severe impacts a shutdown of Amtrak would have on the daily lives of millions of Americans.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

-0.34

Somewhat Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

53.5

Gunning-Fog Score

11.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.5

Sprache Readability Score

4.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

Jim Jeffords

We live in a nation that prides itself on independence. For many Americans, their personal automobile grants them the ability to travel unincumbered for work and pleasure. But as we all know, this freedom is slowly ebbing as our Nation's highways and skies become more and more congested. Our roadways and runways are at capacity and growth opportunities are severely limited.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.55556

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.55556

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.802

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

47.1

Gunning-Fog Score

12.7

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.7

Sprache Readability Score

4.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

19

Sprache Difficult Word Count

25

Jim Jeffords

A drive through and around any major American city today will leave most drivers frustrated by delays. This constant automobile congestion slows commerce, reduces worker productivity, and limits travel independence. In fact, highway congestion now costs the United States $100 billion annually, not including the economic and societal costs of increased pollution and wasted energy.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-2.3979

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.42857

Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.42857

Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.8473

VADER

-0.268

Slightly Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

20.6

Gunning-Fog Score

18.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.2

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

22

Sprache Difficult Word Count

28

Jim Jeffords

The American solution has been to find alternatives. Our road options are limited. Ten-lane highways cannot be expanded, and new highways are difficult to site and result in the destruction of irreplaceable land and neighborhoods.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.2

Slightly Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.2

Slightly Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.33647

VADER

-0.7

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

44.3

Gunning-Fog Score

14.8

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.4

Sprache Readability Score

3.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

11

Sprache Difficult Word Count

14

Jim Jeffords

Congestion in the air is also a major issue. Slots at airports are filled. Runways are backed up. Air space is busy. A recent safety study reported that 21 of the 26 major airports experienced serious delays, costing billions of dollars. New airports are expensive and only add to the problems we face today.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.61904

VADER

-0.026

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

6.3

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

66.1

Gunning-Fog Score

8

Coleman-Liau Index

10.8

SMOG Index

9.4

Automated Readability Index

4.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.8

Sprache Readability Score

3.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

15

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

Jim Jeffords

Rail remains the one underutilized infrastructure available to our Nation. Railroads offer us the opportunity to move cars off the highways and planes from the air. Rail is efficient, cheaper and more environmentally preferable than our other options. We must now begin the careful process of retaining and rebuilding passenger rail in our country.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.70805

VADER

0.735

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

41.2

Gunning-Fog Score

13.5

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.8

Sprache Readability Score

3.9

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

14

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

Jim Jeffords

Created in 1970, Amtrak serves millions of passengers each year. For 10 million households that have no car, and many communities without air or bus service, Amtrak is their lifeline. Amtrak connects 68 of the 75 largest urban areas in the United States, and serves many of the 62 million Americans living in rural areas.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.382

Somewhat Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

57.5

Gunning-Fog Score

12.4

Coleman-Liau Index

10.7

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.8

Sprache Readability Score

4.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

17

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

Jim Jeffords

According to the Journal of Commerce, without Amtrak there would be an immediate need for 10 new tunnels under the Hudson River between northern New Jersey and New York City and 20 new highway lanes in New York. If Amtrak disappeared tomorrow, there would be an additional 27,000 cars on the highway between New York and Boston every day.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

-0.226

Slightly Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

53.7

Gunning-Fog Score

15.3

Coleman-Liau Index

10.3

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.2

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

14

Sprache Difficult Word Count

15

Jim Jeffords

In my home State of Vermont, passenger rail has been rediscovered. We launched a new passenger service, the Ethan Allen Express last year, to complement the already existing Vermonter. Both trains have been immensely successful, brining passengers from New England, New York, and across the Nation to our beautiful State. These trains have relieved highway congestion, given an economic boost to the State and offer travelers an alternative to driving or flying. Our dream in Vermont is to expand this service, linking a number of our larger cities and reestablishing rail service to Maine, New Hampshire, and Boston.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.41176

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.41176

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.82098

VADER

0.952

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.2

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

49.7

Gunning-Fog Score

14

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

32

Sprache Difficult Word Count

37

Jim Jeffords

And as we learned last winter in Vermont, rail keeps rolling regardless of weather. During the deep winter storms, as cars were snowbound and planes held on the ground, the trains were bringing business travelers and skiers to our State. We all remember when the eastern seaboard was hit with a major blizzard in in the winter of 1996 and the Federal Government was shut down for a solid week. But Amtrak kept running. In fact, my only means of getting to the Senate that week was on the train, as roads were blocked an planes grounded.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.25

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.25

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.45199

VADER

-0.128

Leans Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

74.6

Gunning-Fog Score

9

Coleman-Liau Index

10.1

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

27

Jim Jeffords

Passenger rail service is the future. But many in this city have yet to recognize this reality. Amtrak has never been given the proper tools to bring the train into the modern age. The rail system operates on 1930's technology, with outdated engines, cars and maintenance facilities.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

54.5

Gunning-Fog Score

10.7

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

7.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.6

Sprache Readability Score

3.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

Jim Jeffords

While this system struggles, other nation's have invested heavily in technologically advanced high speed trains. France, Japan, and many other nations operate state-of-the-art trains, an efficient mode of travel in densely populated regions. Japan installed their bullet trains in the early 1960's, and Europe in the 1970's. The high-speed trains, cruising at 200 miles per hour or more, easily compete with cars, buses, and planes.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.43508

VADER

0.755

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

58.1

Gunning-Fog Score

11.5

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

10.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

26

Sprache Difficult Word Count

29

Jim Jeffords

Why has the United States fallen so far behind? Railroads in this country once had the prestige and financial capital to do nearly anything, but that changed over the years. Through mismanagement and limited public support we let our passenger railroads decay to the point of extinction. Today, we face the same choices. Should we support reviving and expanding advanced passenger rail through public financing or shut the system down? Let's not make a mistake that we would truly regret in the future. It's time to make this railroad work and maintain its role as a vital component of our Nation's transportation infrastructure.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.58779

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.831

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

59.7

Gunning-Fog Score

11.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.6

Automated Readability Index

9.5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

25

Sprache Difficult Word Count

35

Jim Jeffords

This Nation is on the verge of one of the most important transportation developments in its history. High speed rail should be operational from Washington to Boston by 1999. Other regions of the country are also working to develop high-speed train service, including California, Florida, and many other States. These trains easily compete with air travel and allow travelers a comfortable, fast and efficient means to reach their destination.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.89

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.8

Gunning-Fog Score

13.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.4

Sprache Readability Score

4.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

20

Sprache Difficult Word Count

25

Jim Jeffords

High-speed rail will also aid Amtrak's bottom line. This new system will bring further profits to a business that badly needs the capital.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

-0.052

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

74.8

Gunning-Fog Score

6.5

Coleman-Liau Index

11.7

SMOG Index

7.3

Automated Readability Index

6.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.2

Sprache Readability Score

2.9

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

4

Sprache Difficult Word Count

10

Jim Jeffords

Many critics will question the need for further public investment in Amtrak. As compared to other infrastructure programs, passenger rail gets little public support. Last year we spent $20 billion on highways, while capital investment for Amtrak was less than $450 million. In relative terms, between fiscal year 1980 and fiscal year 1994, spending on highways increased 73 percent, aviation increased 170 percent, while spending on rail declined by 60 percent.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.42857

Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.42857

Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.78846

VADER

0.53

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

55.4

Gunning-Fog Score

13.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.3

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6

Sprache Readability Score

4.9

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

23

Sprache Difficult Word Count

26

Jim Jeffords

Without proper reforms and additional capital funding the future of this railroad is at risk. I commend members of the Senate Commerce committee who have worked to deliver a solid reform proposal to the Senate. My hope is that the House will accept these changes and send this bill to the President before we adjourn for the year. The plan we have developed offers serious reforms that will enable the railroad to modernize while reducing operating costs.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.8

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.8

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.84583

VADER

0.765

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

53.3

Gunning-Fog Score

13.4

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

24

Sprache Difficult Word Count

29

Jim Jeffords

Our Nation needs passenger rail. Together, we must move forward to preserve this important transportation option. The investments we are committing to today will increase our Nation's investment in the Amtrak rail system, and allow it to succeed in its efforts to continue to operate into the future.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.7346

VADER

0.772

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

47.8

Gunning-Fog Score

13.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.1

Sprache Readability Score

4.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

18

Frank R. Lautenberg

Mr. President, I rise to support the compromise Amtrak reauthorization bill being offered by Senator Hutchison. Passage of this bill brings us one step closer to putting Amtrak on firm footing by extending authorization for 5 years, and most importantly, by giving Amtrak $2.3 billion in tax credits for much-needed capital investments.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.22378

VADER

0.858

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.3

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

45.2

Gunning-Fog Score

13.1

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

23

Sprache Difficult Word Count

27

Frank R. Lautenberg

But let's not pretend we are completely solving the problem today. The General Accounting Office has warned us over and over again that making Amtrak self sufficient will be difficult and that realistically we have to look at continued investment in the system beyond the year 2002.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.5

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.5

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.8473

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.27273

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.27273

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

-0.588

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

44.4

Gunning-Fog Score

14.5

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.2

Sprache Readability Score

4.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

15

Sprache Difficult Word Count

16

Frank R. Lautenberg

Mr. President, our national transportation system is crucial to our economy. And a national rail system is a crucial part of any national transportation plan. But over the years we have consistently shortchanged Amtrak.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

46.4

Gunning-Fog Score

11.6

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.8

Automated Readability Index

7.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.4

Sprache Readability Score

2.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

15

Sprache Difficult Word Count

11

Frank R. Lautenberg

For instance, over the course of this decade, Germany has decided to invest nearly $70 billion on what is already an excellent railway system in a country a fraction of the size of the United States.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.758

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

38.7

Gunning-Fog Score

18.8

Coleman-Liau Index

10

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.2

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

10

Sprache Difficult Word Count

13

Frank R. Lautenberg

What have we done? Well, since 1971, we've invested just $19 billion in Amtrak. And now we are preparing to phase out operating subsidies entirely. I think this is unrealistic.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.60944

VADER

0.273

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

69.5

Gunning-Fog Score

12.3

Coleman-Liau Index

10.3

SMOG Index

10.8

Automated Readability Index

3.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.1

Sprache Readability Score

2.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

9

Sprache Difficult Word Count

10

Frank R. Lautenberg

Mr. President, let me put this in perspective. We continue to subsidize every other form of transportation.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

51.8

Gunning-Fog Score

14

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.6

Automated Readability Index

5.5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.9

Sprache Readability Score

1.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

6

Sprache Difficult Word Count

6

Frank R. Lautenberg

Over the past 15 years, in relative terms, we've increased spending on highways by 73 percent and aviation by 170 percent, while we have cut Amtrak's funding 62 percent.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

60.7

Gunning-Fog Score

15.7

Coleman-Liau Index

9.8

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.3

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

9

Sprache Difficult Word Count

10

Frank R. Lautenberg

As we starved our national rail system during most of this decade, service declined and so did ridership. Between 1994 and 1996 Amtrak went from 21.1 million passengers to 19.7 million -- meaning Amtrak lost even more revenue and was being sent into a downward spiral toward bankruptcy.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-2.56495

VADER

-0.71

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

53.4

Gunning-Fog Score

15.4

Coleman-Liau Index

11.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

4.9

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

13

Sprache Difficult Word Count

17

Frank R. Lautenberg

And those 1.4 million riders Amtrak lost still had to get to their destinations somehow and that likely meant more cars, buses, or planes in our already congested airports and highways.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.5

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.5

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.8473

VADER

-0.318

Somewhat Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

47.1

Gunning-Fog Score

18.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

10

Frank R. Lautenberg

Coming from the State of New Jersey, I can speak first hand about the importance of Amtrak to my State and the rest of the northeast corridor.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.691

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

66.6

Gunning-Fog Score

13.8

Coleman-Liau Index

9.1

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.3

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

5

Sprache Difficult Word Count

7

Frank R. Lautenberg

The New York/New Jersey metropolitan area is one of the most congested in the nation. A recent study said that every day people waste more than 2 million hours in traffic -- 2 million hours a day.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.94591

VADER

-0.422

Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

64.6

Gunning-Fog Score

12.8

Coleman-Liau Index

8.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

7.3

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.3

Sprache Readability Score

3.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

8

Sprache Difficult Word Count

9

Frank R. Lautenberg

To put that number into perspective, that means that people here will waste more time in traffic in a single year than the man-hours to build the entire Continental railroad.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

-0.361

Somewhat Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

58

Gunning-Fog Score

13.7

Coleman-Liau Index

11.2

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.6

Sprache Readability Score

4.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

4

Sprache Difficult Word Count

5

Frank R. Lautenberg

And if Amtrak wasn't there, another 11 million people would be dumped onto our roads.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

-0.402

Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

6.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

73.2

Gunning-Fog Score

11.3

Coleman-Liau Index

10.1

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

6.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.9

Sprache Readability Score

2.9

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

5

Frank R. Lautenberg

How many billions of dollars would we have to spend widening roads in order to accommodate this new traffic? How much time and money would trucking companies, businesses and commuters lose as a result of increased traffic and congestion? I do not think that anyone can legitimately make the argument that highway users do not benefit from Amtrak's operations.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.4

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.4

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.76214

VADER

-0.618

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

44.9

Gunning-Fog Score

16

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.3

Sprache Readability Score

4.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

17

Frank R. Lautenberg

Amtrak does not just reduce congestion on our highways. It carries over 40 percent of the combined air-rail market between Washington and New York. Loss of Amtrak service in this corridor would require another 7,500 fully booked 757 jetliners to carry Amtrak's passenger load each year. How many billions would we have to invest in our air infrastructure to accommodate these travelers?

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.58779

VADER

-0.318

Somewhat Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

59.7

Gunning-Fog Score

12

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.3

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

19

Sprache Difficult Word Count

23

Frank R. Lautenberg

Mr. President, while I've spoken about my region, Amtrak is also a national passenger rail system that provides important service in areas of the country that are not as congested. In many cases, Amtrak provides residents of small rural towns with their only form of intercity transportation. Each year, some 22 million passengers depend on Amtrak for transportation between urban centers and rural locations. Amtrak provides service in 45 of the 50 States.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.25

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.25

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.45199

VADER

0.202

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

51.8

Gunning-Fog Score

11.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.7

Automated Readability Index

9.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.9

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

24

Sprache Difficult Word Count

25

Frank R. Lautenberg

Ask any Amtrak passenger, traveling through the State of Montana, perhaps stopping off at Havre, on their way to Glacier National Park, whether Amtrak is important to them. Of course it is.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.60944

VADER

0.052

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

55.8

Gunning-Fog Score

10.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

8.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.7

Sprache Readability Score

3.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

8

Sprache Difficult Word Count

10

Frank R. Lautenberg

Mr. President, this agreement in front of us today strikes a compromise on very difficult labor issues. It asks Amtrak's workers to make signficant concessions.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.14286

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.14286

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.25131

VADER

-0.644

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

52.9

Gunning-Fog Score

11.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.6

Automated Readability Index

7.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

8

Sprache Readability Score

2.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

11

Frank R. Lautenberg

Mr. President, I worked hard to make these funds available to Amtrak. During the budget negotiations, I worked with Senators Roth and Domenici to include a reserve fund for Amtrak to allow us to make additional capital funding available in future legislation.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.70805

VADER

0.128

Leans Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

43.6

Gunning-Fog Score

11.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

9

Sprache Readability Score

3.9

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

22

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

Frank R. Lautenberg

Thanks to the leadership of Senators Roth and Moynihan, the Finance Committee found a way to provide this funding in the tax reconciliation bill through a $2.3 billion tax credit.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.58779

VADER

0.671

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

41

Gunning-Fog Score

16

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.3

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

11

Sprache Difficult Word Count

13

Frank R. Lautenberg

Mr. President, I would like to end by commending all of those who worked so feverishly to put this compromise together. In particular, Senators Kerry, Hollings, Lott, Hutchison, McCain, Roth and Breaux deserve special recognition for their efforts and leadership in this matter.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.56495

VADER

0.637

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

50.6

Gunning-Fog Score

12.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.7

Sprache Readability Score

4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

19

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

Frank R. Lautenberg

I urge my colleagues to support this Amtrak reauthorization compromise.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.402

Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

19

Gunning-Fog Score

16

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

10

Sprache Readability Score

2.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

6

Sprache Difficult Word Count

6

Frank R. Lautenberg

I think this step we take today to begin rejuvenating our national rail system might someday be considered just as historic as the century-old congressional decision to build it in the first place.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

30.5

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

9

Sprache Difficult Word Count

10

Frank R. Lautenberg

But we must not kid ourselves. More will need to be done if Amtrak is to thrive, not just survive.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.8473

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

1.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

99.4

Gunning-Fog Score

4

Coleman-Liau Index

6.6

SMOG Index

3.3

Automated Readability Index

1.5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

2.9

Sprache Readability Score

2.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

5

John Chafee

Mr. President, I strongly support this legislation, which will preserve vital passenger rail service in the United States. I applaud the hard work of the members of the Commerce Committee who have worked out a reasonable compromise on this much-needed bill.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.58779

VADER

0.886

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

59.7

Gunning-Fog Score

9.4

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

9.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.3

Sprache Readability Score

4.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

15

Sprache Difficult Word Count

21

John Chafee

In the 25 years since Amtrak was created, we've learned several things about passenger rail operations in the United States: First, in today's increasingly competitive transportation marketplace, Amtrak cannot continue to operate viably under the status quo. Second, we recognize political reality and know that the American people will not continue to support taxpayer subsidies of Amtrak if the railroad continues to operate under the same structure that has brought it close to financial collapse. Third, like its counterparts in the highway and aviation sectors, passenger railroad ought to be afforded a reasonable level of Federal assistance for its increasingly urgent infrastructure needs.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.48808

VADER

0.625

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

11.8

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

39

Sprache Difficult Word Count

42

John Chafee

With regard this third matter -- Federal support -- I am pleased that Congress included within the tax bill passed earlier this year $2.3 billion for Amtrak's capital improvements. These funds will help Amtrak conduct badly needed modernization of its infrastructure so that it can enhance service to its customers and more effectively perform in a competitive marketplace. However, these funds are on hold until the bill before the Senate today is enacted into law.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.64663

VADER

0.885

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

38.4

Gunning-Fog Score

16.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

26

Sprache Difficult Word Count

33

John Chafee

What is also needed is a realistic assessment of the Federal laws currently governing Amtrak's operation. Although attention recently seems to be focused on the protections for Amtrak employees, there are a wide range of laws that hinder Amtrak's stated goal of operating more like a business.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.95551

VADER

0.656

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

31.8

Gunning-Fog Score

18.8

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

20

Sprache Difficult Word Count

21

John Chafee

It has been the provisions affecting Amtrak workers that have been most controversial and have stymied action in Congress for the past 2 years. Some of these laws stem from the Depression era, a time when Congress and the President sought to relieve a national tragedy. Others were enacted when Amtrak was first created in the early 1970's, well before the railroad's financial problems had developed.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

-0.806

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

55

Gunning-Fog Score

13.6

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

23

Sprache Difficult Word Count

23

John Chafee

In any event, it is important to note that many of these provisions are mandated by law, rather than agreed to through the traditional collective-bargaining process that businesses and labor unions across America deal with regularly. Other employers in the United States are certainly not required by law to provide worker benefits similar to those required of Amtrak.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.3979

VADER

0.866

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

24.9

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

21

Sprache Difficult Word Count

27

John Chafee

If financial and operational viability is going to be restored at Amtrak, we simply must take a candid and reasonable look at all of the very unique laws -- not just the labor protections -- that have hindered Amtrak's ability to succeed. We must also ensure that, like its counterparts in the aviation and highway sectors, passenger rail is provided a reasonable level of support for capital improvements. These are the goals this bill seeks to achieve, and I am pleased that Senate is able to take it up today.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.6

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.6

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.89474

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.89474

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.51231

VADER

0.958

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

37.7

Gunning-Fog Score

18.1

Coleman-Liau Index

11.7

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

26

Sprache Difficult Word Count

35

John Chafee

Specifically, when amended by this substitute, S. 738 will:

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

51.9

Gunning-Fog Score

10.7

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.3

Automated Readability Index

3.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

1.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

3

John Chafee

Authorize $5.163 billion for Amtrak over the next 5 years; Mandate that Amtrak be independent of Federal operating subsidies in 5 years; Repeal two statutes that affect work rules at Amtrak, and put them into the collective bargaining process. These outdated statutes prohibit Amtrak from contracting out, and mandate 6 years of severance pay for laid off employees; Impose a reasonable cap on punitive damages on rail transportation liability; Create an Amtrak reform council [ARC] that will regularly evaluate Amtrak's financial performance to ensure accountability to the taxpayer; Clarify that the $2.3 billion included within the tax bill can only be used for Amtrak capital improvements.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.6

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.6

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.36364

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.36364

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.72594

VADER

-0.557

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

0

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

9.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

47

Sprache Difficult Word Count

45

John Chafee

When taken together, the provisions of this legislation will restore financial viability to Amtrak by permitting the company to operate more like a business. The bill also gives the U.S. taxpayer the assurance that Congress will no longer provide open-ended subsidies to passenger rail.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

3.13549

VADER

0.633

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.2

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.5

Gunning-Fog Score

15

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

8.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.1

Sprache Readability Score

3.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

John Chafee

There are allegations that Amtrak's operational reforms are being sought as a ploy to make it less expensive to eliminate these jobs and shut down the railroad altogether. This contention is ludicrous. The biggest threat to these jobs is maintaining the status quo, which is not financially viable for Amtrak.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

-0.71

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

49.5

Gunning-Fog Score

14.7

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.1

Sprache Readability Score

4.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

20

Sprache Difficult Word Count

23

John Chafee

If things continue under the current framework, Amtrak will soon be forced into bankruptcy. Such an outcome would eliminate all of Amtrak's 20,000 jobs, to say nothing of depriving the Nation of a needed service.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.71429

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.71429

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.46634

VADER

-0.343

Somewhat Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

59.3

Gunning-Fog Score

12.8

Coleman-Liau Index

11.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.2

Sprache Readability Score

3.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

12

John Chafee

Ultimately, our effort to ensure that passenger rail survives into the 21st century should be focused on the customer: we should help ensure that conditions exist that will allow Amtrak to provide efficient, reliable national transportation service without adversely impacting its workforce or burdening U.S. taxpayers.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.22378

VADER

0.901

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

28.9

Gunning-Fog Score

17.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.8

Sprache Readability Score

4.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

21

Sprache Difficult Word Count

25

John Chafee

Absent this service, Amtrak's customers would go elsewhere, and our highways and airports would become severely clogged. This legislation ensures the viability of passenger rail service for the traveling public, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.11111

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.11111

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.20067

VADER

-0.077

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

33.9

Gunning-Fog Score

16

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.1

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

10

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

Olympia J. Snowe

Mr. President, today the Senate holds the future of Amtrak in its hands. The legislation before us seeks to put Amtrak's financial situation on a track to self-sufficiency. We have delayed action on Amtrak for three years and we cannot afford to delay it any longer.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.51083

VADER

-0.133

Leans Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.3

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

63.5

Gunning-Fog Score

8.1

Coleman-Liau Index

11

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

5.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.3

Sprache Readability Score

3.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

17

Sprache Difficult Word Count

18

Olympia J. Snowe

As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee for the last 3 years, I have listened to Amtrak and its detractors discuss the problems and the potential for passenger rail service. The committee, first under the leadership of Senator Lott, and now under the leadership of Senator Hutchison, chair of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee, have reported out tough but fair reform bills that put the burden on Amtrak to prove it can survive without a Federal operating subsidy.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.58779

VADER

-0.459

Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

27.3

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

27

Sprache Difficult Word Count

29

Olympia J. Snowe

In the last Congress, despite the best efforts of Senator Lott, no agreement could be reached with those who claim they want Amtrak reform but also wouldn't let it come to the floor -- even when they were offered the opportunity to offer, debate, and vote on their amendments. Much the same can be said to explain why we are here, in the waning hours of the first session, considering this important bill.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.27273

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.27273

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

0.623

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

50.4

Gunning-Fog Score

17.7

Coleman-Liau Index

10.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

17

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

Olympia J. Snowe

I want to express my support for the amendment offered by Senator Hutchison and my appreciation for her dedication to moving the reform process forward. She has fought a difficult battle because of her belief in the importance of maintaining a national passenger rail system, and I would like to commend her for her hard work and dedication to reform.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.63636

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.63636

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.335

VADER

0.751

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

38.2

Gunning-Fog Score

18

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.5

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

19

Sprache Difficult Word Count

23

Olympia J. Snowe

But, we are not simply debating Amtrak reform, but a more complex question: Do we, as a Nation, believe that we should have a national passenger rail service? If we do, then we will pass this bill with Senator Hutchison's amendment. If we fail to address the financial problems at Amtrak all we are doing is delaying the inevitable.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-2.3979

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-2.70805

VADER

-0.852

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

57.8

Gunning-Fog Score

12.6

Coleman-Liau Index

10.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.8

Sprache Readability Score

4.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

18

Sprache Difficult Word Count

22

Olympia J. Snowe

We need to make the tough choices -- that is what the people of this country have sent us here to do. If we are not willing or able to do that for Amtrak then we might as well shut the system down rather then allow it to slowly bleed to death. That is what is happening now because some in this body have been unwilling to face up to the fact that there is no easy answer to the financial problems facing Amtrak. If there were -- we would not find ourselves in this situation.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.6

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.6

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.14286

Leans Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.14286

Leans Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.25131

VADER

-0.527

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

74.1

Gunning-Fog Score

11.1

Coleman-Liau Index

7.6

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

2.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

9

Sprache Difficult Word Count

18

Olympia J. Snowe

Three years ago, Amtrak took the Government's pronouncement that it should operate without Federal operating subsidies to heart. They developed a business plan and told Congress what was needed both in the way of statutory changes and capital funding in order to meet this goal. Earlier this year we created the capital trust fund -- an important first step -- but in this case money simply isn't enough. Until we address the statutory changes they need, we have left them to sink slowly into bankruptcy.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.57143

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.57143

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.18958

VADER

0.686

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.3

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

51.2

Gunning-Fog Score

14.1

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

20

Sprache Difficult Word Count

26

Olympia J. Snowe

Tom Downs has come before the Commerce Committee, the Finance Committee, the Appropriations Committee, and the Environment and Public Works Committee to tell the Senate what changes Amtrak needs in order to turn a public railroad into a business. He has laid out the statutory changes that are necessary in order to allow Amtrak to compete in the next century. He has been very straightforward about the fact that without these changes, Amtrak has no future.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.4

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.4

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.76214

VADER

-0.077

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

43.1

Gunning-Fog Score

12.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

20

Sprache Difficult Word Count

18

Olympia J. Snowe

The Commerce Committee has twice reported out bills that provide these changes. But the committee has also made it clear that the reform bill is a commitment between Congress and Amtrak to achieve the mutual goal of self-sufficiency. We have created the Amtrak Review Council which will consider factors that will help it determine if Amtrak has kept its end of the deal -- Amtrak's performance, and the findings of the independent assessment -- in order to determine whether or not Amtrak should continue to exist. I included a provision in the bill that will require the ARC to also consider whether Congress has held up its end of the bargain by requiring the council to look at whether sufficient funding was provided for Amtrak to carry out the financial plan it is required to write under the bill.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

3.49651

VADER

0.866

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

41.2

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

46

Sprache Difficult Word Count

42

Olympia J. Snowe

In my very first Commerce Committee hearing in January, 1995, Ken Mead, then with GAO told us that ". . . Congress needs to decide what is to be expected from Amtrak and how much it is willing to pay to fulfill those expectations." I believe the committee has provided the full Senate with a bill that provides Amtrak and its shareholders with a clear outline of those expectations and most importantly, provides Amtrak with all the tools, within its power, to meet those expectations.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.7346

VADER

0.769

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

51.2

Gunning-Fog Score

14.8

Coleman-Liau Index

11.8

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

24

Sprache Difficult Word Count

24

Olympia J. Snowe

I believe that the committee's reform package -- offered today by the distinguished Senator from Texas -- is a fair one, but least anyone think that we are simply pouring money into a sinking ship, it is important to remember that this bill also includes a heavy dose of tough love. If the ARC determines that Amtrak cannot become free of Federal operating subsidies, then plans will be made for liquidation or a major restructuring will be undertaken.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.29928

VADER

0.784

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

30.2

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.2

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

21

Sprache Difficult Word Count

26

Olympia J. Snowe

Having worked with Tom Downs, I am a firm believer that he and the men and women who have worked so hard to keep Amtrak moving will meet the goal of self-sufficiency. If they cannot, even after Congress has provided them with the tools they have asked for, then I am ready to close them down. But I want to know that they had the opportunity, the resources and the tools to meet that goal, first. And that is why it is so important that we adopt the amendment offered by Senator Hutchison.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

3.04452

VADER

0.743

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

69.6

Gunning-Fog Score

12.4

Coleman-Liau Index

8.4

SMOG Index

11.8

Automated Readability Index

9.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

17

Sprache Difficult Word Count

22

Olympia J. Snowe

It is also important to look at what, until today, has prevented us from moving the Amtrak reform legislation -- labor and liability.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.026

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

30.7

Gunning-Fog Score

16.1

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.1

Sprache Readability Score

3.9

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

7

Sprache Difficult Word Count

7

Olympia J. Snowe

According to the General Accounting Office, labor accounts for 52 percent of the costs at Amtrak. You don't need to be an accountant to know that if Amtrak is to succeed it needs to be able to address these costs. Amtrak has asked for the ability to sit down at the bargaining table and negotiate on the issues of contracting out of services and severance pay, which under current law is 6 years. The Committee bill required both sides to negotiate. Under the Hutchison amendment, the issue of contracting out shall itself be negotiated in the next round of contract negotiations.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.5

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.5

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.8473

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.47368

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.47368

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.9694

VADER

0.625

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

56.5

Gunning-Fog Score

12.8

Coleman-Liau Index

11.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

28

Sprache Difficult Word Count

31

Olympia J. Snowe

A lot has changed since Amtrak was created and we need to allow the system to change with the times if it is to be a competitive force as we enter the next century. The men and women of Amtrak have worked hard to improve the system, make no mistake about it, and they have more at stake then anyone for without Amtrak they have no job. I do not believe that asking them to sit down at the table and negotiate is asking too much.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.11111

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.11111

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.20067

VADER

0.077

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

68.5

Gunning-Fog Score

12.9

Coleman-Liau Index

7.3

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

11.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.2

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

15

Sprache Difficult Word Count

13

Olympia J. Snowe

The Hutchison amendment also makes changes in the liability issue that has long held up reform. It is a much misunderstood issue and I applaud the Senator from Texas' ability to reach agreement on the issue.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.58779

VADER

0.66

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.9

Gunning-Fog Score

12.8

Coleman-Liau Index

11.8

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.6

Sprache Readability Score

3.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

13

Sprache Difficult Word Count

11

Olympia J. Snowe

The Senate will make an important decision today. We can take the responsible approach, pass reform, and help put Amtrak on the road to self-sufficiency. Or we can take the irresponsible approach, kill the bill and shut down passenger rail service. I have the luxury, I suppose, of coming from a State that will not be impacted one way or the other at this time. Maine does not have train service. We would like it, and we are waiting for a decision by the Surface Transportation Board to determine if we will get it, but the people of my State believe that a national passenger rail system is important, and so do I.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.41176

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.41176

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.82098

VADER

0.262

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

66.6

Gunning-Fog Score

12.2

Coleman-Liau Index

9.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

8.3

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

19

Sprache Difficult Word Count

26

Olympia J. Snowe

A national passenger rail system is as much a part of our future as it is of our past. The Journal of Commerce noted last year that Amtrak's presence eliminates the need for 20 additional highway lanes in New York City and 10 new tunnels under the Hudson. It also replaces 27,000 cars on the highway between Boston and New York every day. We can only add so many lanes to any given highway.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.60944

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

68.2

Gunning-Fog Score

10.7

Coleman-Liau Index

7.9

SMOG Index

10.3

Automated Readability Index

6.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.1

Sprache Readability Score

4.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

15

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

Olympia J. Snowe

We need Amtrak -- not as a reminder of our past, but as a vital part of our transportation future, and I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this bill.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

0.681

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

58

Gunning-Fog Score

16.3

Coleman-Liau Index

7

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

8

Sprache Difficult Word Count

9

Ernest Hollings

Mr. President, I rise today in support of S. 738, the Amtrak Reform and Revitalization Act of 1997, and urge its immediate passage.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.60944

VADER

0.402

Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

66.6

Gunning-Fog Score

4.8

Coleman-Liau Index

8.7

SMOG Index

7.9

Automated Readability Index

2.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.6

Sprache Readability Score

2.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

9

Sprache Difficult Word Count

10

Ernest Hollings

S. 738 is the final product of a long collaborative process between Democrats and Republicans alike who have come together in a bipartisan way in order to save and strengthen Amtrak, the Nation's passenger rail carrier. Credit must be given to Senator Hutchison, the subcommittee chairman, Senator McCain, our Commerce Committee chairman, and the majority leader, Senator Lott who took a personal interest in this legislation to get it done. On my side of the aisle we must acknowledge the contributions of Senators Kerry, Breaux, and Ford who negotiated this compromise.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.83333

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.83333

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.03688

VADER

0.878

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

35

Gunning-Fog Score

15.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

36

Sprache Difficult Word Count

36

Ernest Hollings

In addition, we should mention those Senate staff members who worked long hours to bring this legislation to the floor today. They include: Ann Begeman and Charlotte Casey from the Commerce Committee majority staff; Amy Henderson and Larry DiRita from Senator Hutchison's staff; Carl Biersack of the majority leader's office. On the Democratic side I want to mention: Ivan Schlager, Jim Drewry, Clyde Hart, and Carl Bentzel from the committee staff; Gregg Rothschild from Senator Kerry's office; Mark Ashby from Senator Breaux's staff; Greg Rohde from Senator Dorgan's office; Tom Zoeller from Senator Ford's office; and Jonathan Adelstein of the minority leader's office.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

0.077

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

27.4

Gunning-Fog Score

16.1

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

10

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

58

Sprache Difficult Word Count

47

Ernest Hollings

This bill gives Amtrak the tools it says it needs to survive and prosper into the 21st century. In order for this to be done, each of Amtrak's stakeholders has had to give up some benefit. Amtrak passengers will have to bear a limit on Amtrak's liability to them, much the same way that the airlines limit their liability to passengers. Amtrak employees will have labor protections trimmed, but they will retain the ability to renegotiate these protections in the collective bargaining process. In addition, Amtrak management will be under increased scrutiny to perform. The bill establishes an Amtrak Reform Council to advise Amtrak management and to report to the Congress on Amtrak's progress to self-sufficiency.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.14286

Leans Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.14286

Leans Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.25131

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.52381

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.52381

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.859

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

43.9

Gunning-Fog Score

15

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

44

Sprache Difficult Word Count

38

Ernest Hollings

However, in return for those sacrifices, the bill provides Amtrak, for perhaps the first time, sufficient funds for it to repair and revitalize its track and facilities to grow into a first-class rail passenger service. The United States ranks very low in the world in the amount of money it spends on rail passenger service. According to one study the United States ranks below Bangladesh in the amount of money we allocate to this service. With this bill we can begin to close that gap and give the American people a service they can use and be proud of.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.64663

VADER

0.746

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

54.6

Gunning-Fog Score

13.2

Coleman-Liau Index

10.6

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

17

Sprache Difficult Word Count

25

Richard Shelby

Mr. President, I compliment my colleagues on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on today's successful passage of the Amtrak reauthorization bill. I acknowledge that the procurement, labor, and liability reforms contained in this bill as amended by the chairman's substitute amendment are the end result of difficult negotiations and compromises among many competing interests, and represent many years' effort. Issues such as contracting out and mandatory 6-year severance pay have been taken out of statute and put on the negotiating table.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.57143

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.57143

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.18958

VADER

0.671

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

29.4

Gunning-Fog Score

17.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

8.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

39

Sprache Difficult Word Count

41

Richard Shelby

I hope this bill's provisions, along with future negotiations, result in some real reforms. Even with the $2.3 billion in tax credits that will be released on January 1, 1998 if this reauthorization bill is enacted into law, Amtrak will still be hard-pressed to continue running trains in the future, if meaningful improvements are not made in the way the railroad does business. Since I have taken on the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee this year, one thing has become crystal clear: Amtrak does not intend to be weaned from Federal subsidies any time soon. The Amtrak-Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees [BMWE] union agreement reached last weekend contains contingencies that require appropriations levels higher than those in current law or contemplated by the balanced budget agreement. Amtrak touts its glidepath to self-sufficiency as the funding path that will eventually lead to the elimination of Federal operating subsidies. However, the Amtrak-BMWE agreement points to a glidepath in the opposite direction.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.52

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.52

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.966

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

31.8

Gunning-Fog Score

17.8

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.3

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

62

Sprache Difficult Word Count

62

Richard Shelby

The fiscal year 1998 transportation appropriations bill provided $793 million for Amtrak operating and capital expenses. Added to Federal subsidies paid to Amtrak since the Corporation was formed in 1971, the taxpayers have thus far spent $22 billion on a national railroad that carries fewer than 20 million passengers a year -- less than 1 percent of all annual intercity passenger trips in the United States. According to the General Accounting Office, the average Amtrak direct Federal subsidy is $38 per passenger trip, compared to $1.50 per commercial airline passenger enplanement. This is subsidy that comes out of the pockets of every American taxpayer, and yet, wide swaths of the country are not served at all by Amtrak, and many communities that do have train service only see the train a few times a week, or at odd hours of the night.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.55556

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.55556

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.17007

VADER

0.128

Leans Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

34.3

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.5

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

42

Sprache Difficult Word Count

47

Richard Shelby

There is a growing sense that Federal funding of Amtrak can no longer be justified on fiscal or mobility grounds, and that it is time to consider phasing out the railroads's public monopoly status. I really hope that the reforms contained in this reauthorization bill do make a difference in the way Amtrak does business. Because if they do not, by releasing these tax credit funds, the Congress may simply be extending Amtrak's financial instability for 2 more years, and costing the taxpayers yet more appropriated funds for the subsidy of a failed experiment.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.64663

VADER

0.567

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

36.4

Gunning-Fog Score

18.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.3

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

34

Sprache Difficult Word Count

39

Joe Biden

Mr. President, I am pleased that we finally have before us the legislation we need to give Amtrak a new lease on life. In my remarks this afternoon, I will start with the bottom line.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.8473

VADER

0.44

Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

79

Gunning-Fog Score

8.1

Coleman-Liau Index

8.4

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

3.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.2

Sprache Readability Score

2.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

8

Sprache Difficult Word Count

9

Joe Biden

When we pass this legislation today, Amtrak will be eligible to receive the $2.3 billion that was provided in last summer's balanced budget plan. This legislation authorizes the continued existence of Amtrak -- that authorization expired in 1994 -- and therefore gives Amtrak access to the capital fund that some of us have worked so many years to establish.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.83321

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

35.4

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

23

Sprache Difficult Word Count

21

Joe Biden

Agreement on the terms of Amtrak's reauthorization has not been easy, Mr. President. It has taken several years to accomplish, marked by many long hours and more frustrations than I care to recall, as agreements we thought were done unraveled over and over again.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.71429

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.71429

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.46634

VADER

0.777

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

59.3

Gunning-Fog Score

11.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

8.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.7

Sprache Readability Score

3.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

11

Sprache Difficult Word Count

12

Joe Biden

The bill before us this afternoon has required the best efforts of many of my colleagues, who have persevered in the face of those frustrations. We could not have reached this point without the leadership of Senator Hutchison, along with Senator McCain, and of course, their colleague on the Commerce Committee, the distinguished majority leader, to reach agreement on the many difficult issues that this legislation has raised.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.437

Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

33

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

22

Sprache Difficult Word Count

21

Joe Biden

And I know that without the persistence of Senator John Kerry, along with Senators Hollings and Breaux, we would not have reached this point.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

-0.03

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

62.6

Gunning-Fog Score

11.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.5

Sprache Readability Score

4.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

8

Sprache Difficult Word Count

7

Joe Biden

And if I may say so, Mr. President, the entire Delaware congressional delegation has been a part of this process from the beginning. My good friend Bill Roth, chair of the Finance Committee, and our Governor, Tom Carper, who is on the Amtrak board of directors, both continued to play their key roles at critical moments in this process.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.8473

VADER

0.735

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

60.7

Gunning-Fog Score

11.9

Coleman-Liau Index

11

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.1

Sprache Readability Score

4.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

19

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

Joe Biden

The result is a bipartisan compromise, that required that everyone give up some of what they wanted to get as much as possible of what Amtrak needs. Those of us who followed these negotiations closely can count many moments when it seemed that this legislation was dead. Only the long-suffering perseverance of the key players made this legislation possible.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.11111

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.11111

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.20067

VADER

-0.649

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

51.2

Gunning-Fog Score

15.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.9

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

15

Sprache Difficult Word Count

17

Joe Biden

But let's be clear about where we are in the life of Amtrak. As my good friend, Senator McCain, has stressed today, Amtrak is indeed in dire economic trouble. And yes, some of this trouble is indeed due to some of the constraints that we in Congress put on Amtrak's business practices when we created it a quarter of a century ago. That is why the reforms in this legislation are needed.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.27273

Slightly Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.27273

Slightly Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.51083

VADER

0.649

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

68.7

Gunning-Fog Score

9.4

Coleman-Liau Index

9.2

SMOG Index

9.7

Automated Readability Index

7.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.6

Sprache Readability Score

4.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

17

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

Joe Biden

But I believe that much of the problem is due to our failure over the years to provide our nation's passenger rail system with the level of financial support that we give to other elements of our country's transportation system.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.2

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.2

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.33647

VADER

-0.511

Very Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

39.3

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

11.6

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.3

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

11

Sprache Difficult Word Count

13

Joe Biden

As Senator Kerry has argued here this afternoon, we here in the United States rank below some of the poorest Nations on the planet in the level of financial support per citizen that we provide our passenger rail system.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

-0.128

Leans Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

34.9

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

11.2

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.2

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

13

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

Joe Biden

One result of this has been that during the 25 year life of Amtrak, its employees have seen their wages cut as the cost of living grew while their paychecks stagnated.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.60944

VADER

-0.273

Slightly Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

66.2

Gunning-Fog Score

15

Coleman-Liau Index

9.5

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

6

Sprache Difficult Word Count

9

Joe Biden

In my State of Delaware, we have two of the essential maintenance facilities for Amtrak -- at the Wilmington and Bear, DE yards. The workers at these facilities are the best in the business, and are carrying on a tradition that reaches back to the turn of the century in which Delaware has provided essential support for passenger rail along the East Coast.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.29928

VADER

0.796

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

47.1

Gunning-Fog Score

18.2

Coleman-Liau Index

11.6

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

Joe Biden

The hard work that the men and women of the Delaware yards have put in keeping Amtrak's equipment and tracks safe and dependable has been rewarded with a stagnant standard of living. And our citizens -- not just in East Coast urban areas, as we often hear, but in small towns all over the country -- have had much less passenger rail service than the citizens of other major industrial nations.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.42857

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.42857

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.78846

VADER

0.431

Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

46.8

Gunning-Fog Score

17.9

Coleman-Liau Index

11.1

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

13

Sprache Difficult Word Count

21

Joe Biden

By failing to support Amtrak adequately, we have been forced to live with a less efficient transportation system, reducing the effectiveness of the more substantial funds we provide for highways and airports, which are crowded with travelers who might otherwise be able to travel by rail.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.2

Leans Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.2

Leans Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.33647

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.22378

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

22.2

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

21

Joe Biden

We all hope that Amtrak will make the best of the management reforms in this bill to put passenger rail on a healthier financial track for the future. But this legislation entails more than operating reforms and access to a new capital fund.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.3979

VADER

0.796

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.6

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

57.1

Gunning-Fog Score

15.1

Coleman-Liau Index

11.2

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

4.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

16

Joe Biden

As Senator McCain so rightly pointed out, this legislation makes provision for termination of Federal Financial support for Amtrak's operations by the year 2002, something already part of our long-term budget plans. It includes provision for a study of the possibility of Amtrak's bankruptcy and liquidation. For the first time in Federal law, we are contemplating the possibility of shutting down passenger rail in this country.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.14286

Leans Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.14286

Leans Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.25131

VADER

0.402

Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

32.6

Gunning-Fog Score

16.7

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.5

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

23

Sprache Difficult Word Count

24

Joe Biden

So while those of us who put in the hard work that made this moment possible should rightfully be proud of those efforts, we must not lose sight of the big picture. While we have bought a little more time for Amtrak, we have by no means assured that passenger rail -- essential to the efficient operation of every other industrial economy's transportation system -- will survive in the United States.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.8

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.8

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.84583

VADER

0.844

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

43.1

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

11.6

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

14

Sprache Difficult Word Count

18

Joe Biden

Over the next 5 years, there will be more tough choices as we move toward the twin goals of a balanced Federal budget and the end of Federal operating support for our country's passenger rail system. If we fail to provide Amtrak with the resources it needs to modernize, to attract the ridership and revenues that can advance the goal of self- sufficiency, today's accomplishment will be hollow.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.8473

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.99853

VADER

-0.016

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.9

Gunning-Fog Score

18.3

Coleman-Liau Index

11.8

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.3

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

20

Sprache Difficult Word Count

26

Joe Biden

I am not convinced, Mr. President, that we have chosen the right course for passenger rail in this country. No one argues against reforms that make the best use of taxpayers dollars, reforms that permit Amtrak to make use of the best business practices to attract riders and to expand our country's passenger rail system.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.878

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

65.2

Gunning-Fog Score

10.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

9.9

Automated Readability Index

10

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.2

Sprache Readability Score

4.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

15

Sprache Difficult Word Count

17

Joe Biden

But by themselves, those reforms will not relieve us of our responsibility to keep passenger rail alive.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.287

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

50.2

Gunning-Fog Score

11.5

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

10.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

3.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

5

Sprache Difficult Word Count

7

Joe Biden

Senator Kerry reminded us today that the European Community has committed to major new investments on top of their substantial contributions to their continent's passenger rails system. As the most productive economy in the world, we should face up to the need to make similar commitments here.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.7346

VADER

0.637

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

35.4

Gunning-Fog Score

18.8

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.5

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

18

Joe Biden

So many benefits flow from these investments -- benefits that can be measured, but not always on the books of any given passenger rail system -- that the rest of the developed world is willing to make that kind of commitment. Those benefits include more efficient use of fuel, cleaner air, reduced congestion on our highways and at our airports -- real benefits that add up to real dollars saved that can be put to better use.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

2.56495

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.875

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.875

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.33537

VADER

0.973

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

43.5

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

11.2

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

14

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

Joe Biden

In today's world -- with balanced budgets and increased economic competition -- we must make sure that we capture those benefits and save those dollars. That is why the fight for passenger rail in the United States is far from over today.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.25

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.25

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.45199

VADER

0.856

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.2

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

57.5

Gunning-Fog Score

13

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.5

Sprache Readability Score

4.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

9

Sprache Difficult Word Count

12

The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

9.9

Gunning-Fog Score

1.4

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

11.3

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.9

Sprache Readability Score

1.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

4

John Kerry

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the vote that was scheduled for 2:15 be delayed until the end of my comments.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

4.3

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

84.8

Gunning-Fog Score

6.3

Coleman-Liau Index

8

SMOG Index

7.3

Automated Readability Index

3.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.4

Sprache Readability Score

2.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

7

Sprache Difficult Word Count

8

The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.60944

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.5

Gunning-Fog Score

6.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.3

Automated Readability Index

5.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

1.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

4

John Kerry

Mr. President, I am delighted to join with the Senator from Texas, the chairman of the Commerce Committee, the Senator from Arizona, Senator Hollings, Senator Breaux in strongly supporting Amtrak itself and, equally important, supporting this reauthorization bill which is pending before the Senate.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.56495

VADER

0.922

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

26.8

Gunning-Fog Score

14.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

22

Sprache Difficult Word Count

20

John Kerry

I offer my sincere thanks to the Senator from Texas, Senator Hutchison, for her persistence on behalf not just of the bill but particularly Amtrak, which she just talked about, which she has vision of and of which we share a vision.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.19722

VADER

0.863

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

37.3

Gunning-Fog Score

18.7

Coleman-Liau Index

10.3

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

12

John Kerry

I also thank Senator McCain who worked hard with all of us. Despite his own very deeply felt misgivings regarding federally subsidized passenger rail, as chairman he was very fair to all of the opinions that existed on the committee and gave us the opportunity to be able to come together to forge what I think is a good compromise.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.71429

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.71429

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.46634

VADER

0.854

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

41

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

10.7

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.2

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

18

Sprache Difficult Word Count

18

John Kerry

A compromise, obviously, doesn't leave everybody happy. It is not supposed to. There are folks on both sides of the aisle who, if they wrote their own bill, would have written a different bill. Clearly, that is true. But it is because we reached that compromise that I think we put Amtrak in a position not only to survive but to thrive, and we have preserved the rights of labor to be able to negotiate appropriately for their relationship with the management.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.81818

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.379

Somewhat Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

7.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

67.4

Gunning-Fog Score

11.9

Coleman-Liau Index

10.6

SMOG Index

11.7

Automated Readability Index

7.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.1

Sprache Readability Score

4.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

17

Sprache Difficult Word Count

22

John Kerry

I will not review, in the interest of time, any of the specific provisions at this moment. Senator Hutchison has done that. Senator McCain has done that. But I would like to take a moment just to emphasize what I think can't be emphasized enough, which is the importance of Amtrak to the country and particularly important to the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project and to the transportation infrastructure of the Northeast region of the country. I think it is important to all the regions it reaches, but I particularly point out that the future completion of the Northeast corridor, which this legislation will help to ensure, is expected to attract 3 million additional passengers annually between New York and Boston.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.84615

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.84615

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.12026

VADER

0.95

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

42.9

Gunning-Fog Score

16.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

34

Sprache Difficult Word Count

31

John Kerry

This improved rail service is going to ease the congestion of Logan and other major Northeast airports. The Federal Railroad Administration expects passenger air service between Boston and New York to decrease by 40 percent as a result of these measures and to result in the elimination of over 50 daily New York-Boston flights. Indeed, without this legislation, and without the continued modernization of rail travel in the Northeast, the four airports between New York and Boston would be projected to produce annual passenger delays of over 20 million hours per year. That is lost productivity. That is a lost competitive edge for our country, as well as for the region.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.6

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.6

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-0.125

Leans Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-0.125

Leans Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-0.23639

VADER

0.586

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

48.1

Gunning-Fog Score

13.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.5

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

31

Sprache Difficult Word Count

37

John Kerry

We can expect improved Northeast rail service that will come as a result of this legislation to have a spillover positive impact on road congestion. Mr. President, 5.9 billion passenger miles were taken on Amtrak in 1994. These are trips that were not taken on crowded highways and airways. Improved rail service in the Northeast is projected to eliminate over 300,000 auto trips each year from highways that are increasingly overly congested, and it will reduce auto congestion around the airports as well as improving air quality for the country and in the Northeast.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

2.19722

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.929

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

56.6

Gunning-Fog Score

13.5

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

25

Sprache Difficult Word Count

30

John Kerry

As these figures demonstrate, a healthy and financially viable passenger rail system is the key to ensuring an efficient transportation infrastructure in our country. We simply cannot continue, in some parts of the country certainly, to build more and more roads and more and more airports. The space doesn't allow it. We should look to Europe, and we should look to Japan, and we should look to other countries for the experience that they have had as more and more of the square miles of their country are consumed by business and by living space and where they have had to make use of those spaces effectively.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

3.13549

VADER

0.892

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.7

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

58.7

Gunning-Fog Score

15.2

Coleman-Liau Index

11.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

16

Sprache Difficult Word Count

26

John Kerry

The fact is that in the United States of America within the next 20 to 30 years, the vast majority of our population, 75 percent of it, will live within 50 miles of coastline, including the Great Lakes. We will need to consider how we move people and products as those areas become more crowded.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.29928

VADER

0.785

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.2

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

63.6

Gunning-Fog Score

13.9

Coleman-Liau Index

8.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

13

Sprache Difficult Word Count

14

John Kerry

So, simply stated, we need Amtrak because we cannot continue to pave our way out of our transportation problems. I would like to take just a quick moment to address some of those in the Congress who criticize Amtrak and any kind of Federal subsidy of rail as a form of some kind of central planning that is inherently dangerous and that supposedly the United States has always avoided. The fact is, Mr. President, we have not only not always avoided it; we have relied significantly on that kind of Federal input and planning to help us to be able to build the network of transportation that we rely on.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.94591

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.14286

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.14286

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.26826

VADER

-0.338

Somewhat Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

50.5

Gunning-Fog Score

15

Coleman-Liau Index

10.2

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.8

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

31

Sprache Difficult Word Count

28

John Kerry

Throughout our Nation's history, we in Congress have been proactive and aggressive about this kind of assistance. You can drive in one relatively straight line from the northern coast of Maine to Florida on a well-paved road because the Federal Government planned it and because we funded the Interstate Highway System. The planning and construction of our Nation's ports and canal networks, transcontinental railroads, the air traffic control system, and the Interstate Highway System are all examples of Federal leadership in transportation policy which led to overall economic growth, to improved transportation efficiency and, finally, to the development of entirely new industries.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

2.3979

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.22378

VADER

0.883

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

22.5

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.7

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

39

Sprache Difficult Word Count

42

John Kerry

Indeed, while we in Congress have argued over whether the Federal Government should or shouldn't ensure a healthy inter-city rail system, internationally it is no secret that a well-founded rail network is an essential ingredient of a strong 21st century economy.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.2

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.2

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.33647

VADER

-0.333

Somewhat Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

13.7

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

15

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

John Kerry

In fact, every major economic power, except the United States, invests several billions of dollars annually in passenger rail transportation. The European Union plans to invest more than $100 billion to better utilize and integrate its multibillion-dollar-rail network. And our economic competitors in Asia, including China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and South Korea, are all investing heavily in rail.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.29928

VADER

0.691

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

20.5

Gunning-Fog Score

18.7

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

23

Sprache Difficult Word Count

27

John Kerry

The unfortunate truth is that on a per capita basis, at least 34 countries, including Guinea, Myanmar, South Africa, Iran, and Botswana each spend more than the United States on passenger rail. In this light, which I think is the correct light in which to view what we are doing today, we are doing the bare minimum necessary to ensure continued passenger rail travel in the United States and to maintain a vibrant national transportation network.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.33333

Somewhat Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.29928

VADER

0.881

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

35.8

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

24

Sprache Difficult Word Count

30

John Kerry

Finally, I would like to take a moment just to say something about the men and women in Amtrak's labor organizations who work extraordinarily hard daily to ensure that the trains are in working order, that the tracks are maintained and that millions of Americans are able to get to work and travel comfortably and safely from city to city.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.8

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.8

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.84583

VADER

0.866

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

9.2

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

11.3

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

11

Sprache Difficult Word Count

14

John Kerry

Much has been made in the arguments over reform about labor provisions in U.S. law which did give protections to those who worked on Amtrak. Those protections were to guarantee that their jobs wouldn't be contracted away or that a specific level of a severance might exist in order to safeguard them.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.60944

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.71429

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.71429

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.46634

VADER

0.226

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

60.9

Gunning-Fog Score

12.1

Coleman-Liau Index

11.3

SMOG Index

11.8

Automated Readability Index

6.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.8

Sprache Readability Score

3.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

14

Sprache Difficult Word Count

16

John Kerry

Before one overly criticizes those provisions which we have changed and which, in my judgment, we appropriately came to a compromise on, recognizing the times that we now live in, but it is important to not be overly cynical about them and to, frankly, understand the context in which they came about.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.58779

VADER

0.297

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

20.6

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

11.7

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.2

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

12

John Kerry

Amtrak was formed only in the 1970`s, and the reason it was formed was that the freight carriers were unwilling to continue to provide passenger service. It was unclear at the time whether a new entity, called Amtrak, was going to be able to survive at all. It needed experienced, skillful workers in order to be able to put that survival to the test, in order to try to become a viable entity.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.28571

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.28571

Slightly Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.54654

VADER

-0.25

Slightly Negative

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11.3

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

58.3

Gunning-Fog Score

14.7

Coleman-Liau Index

8.8

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.6

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

18

Sprache Difficult Word Count

22

John Kerry

So to attract those skilled, viable workers from another job under another umbrella which they worked in where they had a pension and where they had years of experience, it was necessary to say to them, "You are not going to lose your job immediately. We are going to guarantee you that for taking the risk for helping to make Amtrak work, we will provide you with a guarantee." The labor provisions that are at issue in this debate were originally put into Amtrak law in order to attract employees from other carriers so that they would work for Amtrak. Simply stated, the provisions guaranteed that people who came to work for Amtrak when they didn't know it would survive would receive nothing more than the protection they had enjoyed previously.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.8473

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.78947

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.78947

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.94591

VADER

0.904

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

45.7

Gunning-Fog Score

18.6

Coleman-Liau Index

11.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

33

Sprache Difficult Word Count

34

John Kerry

Since that time, I point out to my colleagues, that Amtrak employees have made tremendous financial sacrifices in order to help keep Amtrak going. I don't think those have been recognized. In the early 1980's, Amtrak employees agreed to a 12-percent wage deferral in order to help Amtrak's bottom line. This deferral has never been repaid. So in point of fact, it became not a deferral, it became a wage giveback, a 12- percent wage giveback.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.95551

VADER

0.758

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

64.9

Gunning-Fog Score

12.4

Coleman-Liau Index

10.4

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

7.3

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.7

Sprache Readability Score

3.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

24

Sprache Difficult Word Count

16

John Kerry

From 1987 through 1992, Amtrak employees agreed to have their wages frozen, even though management received salary increases as high as 15 percent during that period.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.273

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

47

Gunning-Fog Score

18.1

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

8

Sprache Readability Score

4.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

11

Sprache Difficult Word Count

11

John Kerry

In addition, Amtrak employees are paid considerably less than workers holding similar jobs in other transportation agencies. For example, Amtrak car mechanics will earn $2,200 less than those car mechanics on Atlanta's commuter lines; $6,500 less than those on Chicago's commuter lines; and $16,300 less than those on New York's and New Jersey's PATH commuter lines. A mechanic who started to work at Washington's Metro in 1980 literally would have received over $100,000 more than if he or she had worked for Amtrak.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

53.9

Gunning-Fog Score

18

Coleman-Liau Index

10.7

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

31

Sprache Difficult Word Count

23

John Kerry

So now with this bill, Amtrak's employees are making yet another sacrifice, and they are giving up statutory protections to allow them severance benefits in the event of route cuts and also to change the contracting-out provisions.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-0.5

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-0.5

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-0.8473

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.66667

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.29928

VADER

0.572

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

25.8

Gunning-Fog Score

19

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

10

Sprache Difficult Word Count

15

John Kerry

Mr. President, one of the reasons we have this bill is because Amtrak employees have agreed to make this sacrifice. I think that those of us in Congress and the millions of Americans who enjoy Amtrak ought to be grateful for their courage and commitment to its continued viability.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.83321

VADER

0.92

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

59

Gunning-Fog Score

11.4

Coleman-Liau Index

11.7

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

8.7

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.3

Sprache Readability Score

4.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

14

Sprache Difficult Word Count

18

John Kerry

I believe we have laid the groundwork for Amtrak to survive. Labor would be permitted to negotiate as normally as they can negotiate in the marketing process. I think we have reached an accommodation that will help us keep Amtrak not just alive but on the first steps to becoming a model, hopefully, in the long run as we go into the next century for what a good passenger rail system can be.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.22378

VADER

0.849

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

11

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

59.3

Gunning-Fog Score

15.2

Coleman-Liau Index

9.6

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.1

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

18

Sprache Difficult Word Count

19

John Kerry

Mrs. HUTCHISON addressed the Chair.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

1.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

85.9

Gunning-Fog Score

9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

7.3

Automated Readability Index

7.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

9.6

Sprache Readability Score

1.2

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

3

The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.625

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

62.8

Gunning-Fog Score

2.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.3

Automated Readability Index

4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.6

Sprache Readability Score

1.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

5

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank the Senator from Massachusetts who was so helpful in working out this compromise. I think, as he said, a lot of people had to give something that they didn't want to give, which probably means that we did a fair compromise. Senator Breaux, who is also on the floor, was very much a part of this. Senator Hollings, who was here, I also thank.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.7346

VADER

0.828

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.1

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

79

Gunning-Fog Score

8.1

Coleman-Liau Index

8.7

SMOG Index

9.9

Automated Readability Index

4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3.3

Sprache Readability Score

2.8

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

12

Sprache Difficult Word Count

9

Kay Bailey Hutchison

If there is no one else wishing to speak, then I would like to have third reading and then go to a vote, if that is possible.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.296

Slightly Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

8.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

79.2

Gunning-Fog Score

12.3

Coleman-Liau Index

5.1

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

8.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

1.9

Sprache Readability Score

4.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

1

Sprache Difficult Word Count

4

The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.4

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

69.5

Gunning-Fog Score

5.7

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

10.3

Automated Readability Index

4.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

2.5

Sprache Readability Score

2.1

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

2

Sprache Difficult Word Count

6

The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and was read the third time.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.153

Leans Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

4.2

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

95

Gunning-Fog Score

6.8

Coleman-Liau Index

7.7

SMOG Index

3.3

Automated Readability Index

5.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

2.7

Sprache Readability Score

3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

2

Sprache Difficult Word Count

4

The Presiding Officer

The PRESIDING OFFICER.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Harvard-IV (Logit)

-1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

4.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

77

Gunning-Fog Score

5.9

Coleman-Liau Index

10.5

SMOG Index

10.3

Automated Readability Index

4.4

Dale-Chall Readability Score

3

Sprache Readability Score

2.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

7

The bill (S. 738), as amended, was passed.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

0

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

100

Gunning-Fog Score

6.6

Coleman-Liau Index

3.3

SMOG Index

7.3

Automated Readability Index

0

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.1

Sprache Readability Score

1.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

2

Sprache Difficult Word Count

3

Trent Lott

Mr. President, today the Senate acted in a fully bipartisan manner to adopt meaningful and genuine legal, labor, and management reforms for America's national passenger railroad. It offers legislative solutions that could begin to restore the fiscal health of this failing railroad.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.77778

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.7346

VADER

0.751

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

33.5

Gunning-Fog Score

12.3

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

8.2

Sprache Readability Score

4.3

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

20

Sprache Difficult Word Count

24

Trent Lott

American taxpayers have already invested over $20 million in this railroad.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

18.8

Gunning-Fog Score

18.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.2

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.9

Sprache Readability Score

2.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

5

Trent Lott

Let me be clear: the Senate is sending a bipartisan message to this railroad -- the management and the workers must fundamentally change both their culture and operating methods.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.6

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0.382

Somewhat Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

36.4

Gunning-Fog Score

16.9

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

5.9

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

8

Sprache Difficult Word Count

12

Trent Lott

Amtrak cannot continue getting subsidies.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.51083

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

0

Gunning-Fog Score

18

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

11.3

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

9.7

Sprache Readability Score

1.6

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

3

Sprache Difficult Word Count

4

Trent Lott

The legislation adopted today is an amendment to the bill reported by the Commerce Committee earlier this year. It is the bill sponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. The amendment was a joint effort of several members of the Commerce Committee on both sides of the aisle.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

9.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

52.3

Gunning-Fog Score

12.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

9.1

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.8

Sprache Readability Score

3.9

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

18

Sprache Difficult Word Count

17

Trent Lott

I want to personally commend the Senate's Commerce Committee for their leadership on this important transportation issue.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.60944

VADER

0.494

Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

25.4

Gunning-Fog Score

16.2

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

8.3

Sprache Readability Score

3.4

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

8

Sprache Difficult Word Count

8

Trent Lott

I'm sure the nearly 2 million Americans who ride the commuter rail system every day want to also thank them.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0

VADER

0.625

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.5

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

55.4

Gunning-Fog Score

14

Coleman-Liau Index

9.5

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

8.8

Dale-Chall Readability Score

4.2

Sprache Readability Score

3.7

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

4

Sprache Difficult Word Count

7

Trent Lott

I also want to recognize the work of a number of dedicated staffers who have invested many hours, evenings and weekends to get the legislative language right. The work was intense, emotional and personal, but everyone maintained their professional manner and got the job done. The staff responsible for the details are: Ann Begeman, Clyde Hart, Amy Henderson, James Drewry, Lloyd Ator, and Penny Compton.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0

Neutral

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.5

Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.8473

VADER

0.691

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

40.4

Gunning-Fog Score

15.4

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

12

Dale-Chall Readability Score

7.4

Sprache Readability Score

5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

26

Sprache Difficult Word Count

29

Trent Lott

Let me just take one moment and clarify one important issue within this reform bill. The current industry practice between Amtrak and other rail carriers is to allocate financial responsibility for claims. This makes sense and in fact many such contractual agreements exist today. The language in section 28103(b) of the bill is intended to confirm that such contractual agreements are consistent with Federal law and public policy. One should not construe this section as modifying such agreements.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.84615

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.84615

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

2.12026

VADER

0.727

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

10.9

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

45.2

Gunning-Fog Score

14.4

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

10.9

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.4

Sprache Readability Score

4.9

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

28

Sprache Difficult Word Count

29

Trent Lott

Today, the Senate has taken action to ensure America's passenger rail service will not be interrupted. And, the Senate also mandated reforms to assure a prosperous passenger railroad.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

0.33333

Somewhat Positive

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

0.51083

Harvard-IV (Relative)

0.2

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

0.2

Leans Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

0.33647

VADER

0.815

Very Positive

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

12

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

32.5

Gunning-Fog Score

12.7

Coleman-Liau Index

12

SMOG Index

12

Automated Readability Index

11

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6.3

Sprache Readability Score

3.5

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

10

Sprache Difficult Word Count

14

Trent Lott

Mr. President, this reauthorization reform for Amtrak is long overdue, but it is on the right track.

Sentiment

Loughran McDonald (Relative)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Absolute)

-1

Very Negative

Loughran McDonald (Logit)

-1.09861

Harvard-IV (Relative)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Absolute)

1

Very Positive

Harvard-IV (Logit)

1.09861

VADER

0

Neutral

Readability

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

5.8

Flesch-Kincaid Ease

68.8

Gunning-Fog Score

8.1

Coleman-Liau Index

11.9

SMOG Index

9

Automated Readability Index

5

Dale-Chall Readability Score

6

Sprache Readability Score

2.2

Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score

6

Sprache Difficult Word Count

6

Senate Floor: AMTRAK REFORM AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1997

The Presiding Officer

John McCain

Trent Lott

John McCain

Trent Lott

John McCain

John McCain

The Presiding Officer

John McCain

The Presiding Officer

The Presiding Officer

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

John McCain

Kay Bailey Hutchison

The Presiding Officer

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Jim Jeffords

Frank R. Lautenberg

Frank R. Lautenberg

Frank R. Lautenberg

Frank R. Lautenberg

Frank R. Lautenberg

Frank R. Lautenberg

Frank R. Lautenberg

Frank R. Lautenberg