Congressmen Cohen and Denham Praise Amtrak for Making Pets-on-Trains Pilot Program Permanent

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Congressman Jeff Denham (R-CA), members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today praised Amtrak for making their Pets-on-Trains pilot program permanent. Last year, Congressman Cohen and Congressman Denham introduced the bipartisan Pets on Trains Act, now law, which allows families and passengers to travel with domesticated cats and dogs on certain Amtrak trains. This law also gives Amtrak the flexibility to develop the details of their pet policy to best fit the service and their customers. The Pets on Trains Act was incorporated into the 10-year federal highway funding bill signed into law by President Obama in December 2015.

“I am pleased Amtrak has made their Pets-on-Trains pilot program permanent,” said Congressman Cohen.“For many Americans, pets are simply part of the family—and all of us lucky enough to have pets are incredibly blessed by the companionship they provide. I was proud to work with my friend, Congressman Jeff Denham, on this important law to ensure families can bring their pets when traveling on Amtrak and that pets aren’t left behind to fend for themselves.”

“Permanently expanding the Pets on Trains program nationwide is a win for pet owners across the country and for Amtrak, as the program generates much-needed revenue,”said Congressman Denham.“Congressman Cohen has been a great champion for this effort, and I’m pleased that we could work together to see this bipartisan priority become a reality.”

Amtrak announced earlier this month that it is making the Pets on Trains Program for East Coast and Midwestern trains permanent. It is also adding the service to trips up to 7 hours long on most long-distance trains. Amtrak has started a weekend-only experiment on high-speed Acela Express trains that will initially run through June 12. More information can be found here.

As a Tennessee State Senator, Congressman Cohen introduced legislation to allow pets in hotels. After initial reluctance from the hotel industry in Tennessee, they ultimately embraced the program after it became a state law.