Every once in a blue moon, a Democrat gets something right. Montana Senator Jon Tester recently announced that he would be blocking President Joe Biden’s six nominees to the Amtrak Board of Directors, despite previously vowing to confirm them.
This move has been met with both criticism and support from the public.
Tester had previously stated that he would vote to confirm Biden’s executive and judicial branch nominees, but now he has changed his tune and is blocking the Amtrak nominees. Tester noted that none of these nominees are from the western portion of the United States, and five of them are from the northeast corridor.
“Amtrak is not only critical to Montana, but it’s critical to rural communities and economies across this entire country. And it’s important that folks in rural America have a voice at Amtrak to assure that we aren’t left behind. So after taking a look at the president’s slate of nominees and finding that not only are none of the six from the west, but that five are from the northeast corridor, I’ll be blocking these nominees until rural America has a seat at the table,” Tester said.
The Biden administration has been criticized for its public transportation policy, which includes $58 billion for Amtrak. This has been met with opposition from many Republicans, as the train system does not include lines in Wyoming, South Dakota, Hawaii, or Alaska, and has only one line in western states like North Dakota, Montana, and Nevada.
I will be blocking the President's slate of nominees for the Amtrak Board of Directors until rural America is given their lawful seat at the table. pic.twitter.com/aDy5mISRSx
— Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) April 25, 2023
Tester’s move to block Biden’s nominees has been met with both criticism and support from the public. Supporters of Tester argue that the move is necessary to ensure that rural America has a voice in the Amtrak Board of Directors. On the other hand, critics feel that Tester is playing politics and should have stuck to his word and confirmed Biden’s nominees.
No matter what side of the argument you take, it is clear that Senator Jon Tester’s move to block Biden’s nominees is a controversial one. It remains to be seen whether or not this move will be successful and if rural America will get a seat at the table.
