Congress is considering a provision that could permanently shift control over the future of Penn Station from New Yorkers to Washington.
Buried in a House transportation bill is the McDowell-Moulton amendment that could give Amtrak sweeping authority to own, lease, develop, and partner with private developers around Penn Station while weakening local oversight.
The McDowell-Moulton amendment could:
• Give Amtrak broad development powers around Penn Station
• Allow Amtrak-backed projects to bypass local zoning and public review
• Redirect revenue that would traditionally support New York City services into station redevelopment
• Prioritize federally backed projects over locally driven planning
The stakes are significant.
More than 93% of Penn Station riders use the MTA, LIRR, and NJ Transit, yet this proposal would concentrate decision-making power in Amtrak alone, reducing the role of New York City, New York State, local transit agencies, and surrounding communities.
Penn Station is one of the busiest transportation hubs in the Western Hemisphere. Decisions about its future should be made with New Yorkers at the table.
Learn what’s at stake and why local oversight matters: