CONTACT: Jeff Giertz/ Nicole Buseman

jeff.giertz@mail.house.gov/ nicole.buseman@mail.house.gov

202.226.4026 / 202.226.0572

Braley Praises President Obama’s Rail Plan

Proposal could have positive impact on eastern Iowa Amtrak plans

Washington, DC – Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) released the following statement after President Barack Obama and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood unveiled their plan for high-speed passenger rail today:

“President Obama’s passenger rail plan is good news for proponents of bringing Amtrak to eastern Iowa.  His plan, combined with the huge passenger rail investment in the Economic Recovery Act and passenger rail investments called for in the President’s budget, will help speed the advance of passenger rail to cities in eastern Iowa and beyond.

“Today, the President stressed a long-term goal of comprehensive high speed rail systems.  In order to reach this goal, the President noted that we must support passenger rail lines that are ‘ready to go’ and will create jobs now.  

“The Chicago to Quad Cities and Chicago to Dubuque lines are shovel-ready rail projects that will create jobs and economic growth immediately. Both projects have my full support and I hope to see ground broken on these two projects as early links in President Obama’s proposed national rail system.”

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Jeff Giertz

Communications Director

Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01)

(202) 226-4026 (direct)

(202) 297-6745 (cell)

jeff.giertz@mail.house.gov

http://braley.house.gov  

Today in Waterloo, Congressman Bruce Braley is to endorse John Edwards for President.

“Today, I’m proud to endorse John Edwards for president,” said Braley.

“Throughout this campaign, on issue after issue, John has proposed bold ideas to end the power of special interests in Washington and restore our government to the American people.  John is the only Democratic candidate who grew up in rural America, and he has most specific, most progressive and most far-reaching ideas.  I truly believe he is the best Democratic candidate to lead us to victory in 2008. With his leadership, I believe we can make his vision of One America a reality.”

Congressman Braley is the first of three Democratic Iowa Congressman to announce an endorsement for President. This key endorsement builds on the support Edwards continues to gain in the state. As href=”http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/12/2/221148/539″>Jonathan Singer suggests:

First off, this could be the big piece of news in the statewide media Tuesday, and perhaps more importantly it could prompt the national media to remember Edwards, who they have been perhaps too quick to forget given their focus on the scuffles between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. What’s more, a Braley endorsement could bring some of the organizational support and expertise that helped put Braley in Congress last fall. All in all, tomorrow should be a good day for the Edwards campaign.