The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal would cut Federal Railroad Administration funding by 81 percent and reduce Amtrak’s budget by 69 percent, according to the High Speed Rail Alliance. The proposal was released in May 2026 and targets a program that supports passenger rail service across the United States. Passenger rail has long served rural Republican districts by providing an alternative to car travel and supporting local economies. The administration’s broader budget request also reduces funding for health care subsidies and immigration enforcement programs. High Speed Rail Alliance analysts derived the 81 percent and 69 percent figures from the administration’s budget documents and agency financial reports. Rural Republican legislators have historically supported Amtrak funding in their districts despite the administration’s cuts. During a train trip from Newark to Washington, D.C., and then to Pittsburgh, reporters observed passengers who identified as Trump supporters. Some supporters said the cuts could free resources for other priorities, while others expressed concern about higher travel costs and reduced service. Federal Railroad Administration officials described the changes as part of an effort to streamline federal spending and redirect money to defense and infrastructure projects. Congressional leaders have not yet voted on the proposal, and its passage remains uncertain before the November midterm elections. The debate over the rail funding cuts will affect millions of travelers and may shape voter attitudes ahead of the midterms.