Biden advocates for expanding passenger rail in speech celebrating Amtrak

President Biden delivered remarks on Friday to celebrate 50 years of service by Amtrak, arguing that expanding and investing in the country's passenger rail system would help the economy by creating jobs and benefit the environment by cutting down on fossil fuel emissions from commuters.

"Amtrak doesn't just carry us from one place to another, it opens up enormous opportunities," Mr. Biden said. He also reiterated that expanding passenger rail service would mean the creation of union jobs.

Mr. Biden's remarks came as he continues to promote his multi-trillion dollar legislative agenda. His infrastructure and jobs proposal, the $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan, would invest $621 billion in improving transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges and public transit, including $80 billion dedicated specifically to Amtrak.