Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Republicans

On October 16, 2008, the President signed into law a proposal by Rep. Mica to help bring true high-speed passenger rail service to the United States.  The nation currently lacks a true high-speed rail system comparable to those of Europe and Asia.

The French TGV operates at speeds of 200 mph.  The United States is ready for a world-class high-speed system.

According to the law, on December 16, 2008, USDOT requested proposals to establish high-speed rail in 11 corridors across the country, taking the next step toward a new era in U.S. transportation. 

• Link to the Federal Register notice.  Link to the list of respondents to DOT's request for expressions of interest. 
• Link to Public Law 110-432, the legislation that includes Rep. Mica's high-speed rail proposal.
• Link to the language in P.L. 110-432 specifically pertaining to high-speed rail.

Press Releases:

• 4/16/09: Mica Commends President’s Support for High-Speed Rail
• 2/05/09: 80 and Counting Respond to Call for U.S. High-Speed Rail
• 12/15/08: U.S. High-Speed Rail Effort Launched
• 11/19/08: Meetings to Outline Agenda for New High-Speed Rail Initiative
• 10/16/08: President Signs Historic High-Speed Rail Measure
• 10/2/08: Mica: President to Sign High-Speed Rail Measure
• 10/1/08: Mica Hails Senate High-Speed Rail Vote as "Historic"
• 9/24/08: House Votes to Launch Historic High-Speed Rail Initiative and Enhance Rail Safety
• 6/11/08: Historic Effort to Develop High-Speed Rail in the U.S. Passes House of Representatives
• 5/22/08: Committee Approves Historic High-Speed Rail Initiative
• 5/13/08: Mica Presents Historic High-Speed Rail Proposal to Finance Experts
• 5/08/08: Amtrak Bill Provides Historic Opportunity to Bring High-Speed Rail to U.S.
• 3/14/08: Bipartisan High-Speed Rail Initiative Introduced in U.S. House

More information regarding the need for true high-speed rail in the United States:

• Mica op-ed printed in Progressive Railroading
• Did You Know?
• March 20, 2007 High-Speed Rail Rountable hosted by Rep. Mica
• November 20 & 21, 2008 High-Speed Rail Roundtables hosted by Rep. Mica

A brief presentation on the need for high-speed rail in the U.S.