AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) Amendment.—Section 24104(a) is amended to read as follows: “(a) In General.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation— “(1) $1,138,000,000 for fiscal year 1998; “(2) $1,058,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; “(3) $1,023,000,000 for fiscal year 2000; “(4) $989,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and “(5) $955,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, for the benefit of Amtrak for capital expenditures under chapters 243, 247, and 249 of this title, operating expenses, and payments described in subsection (c)(1) (A) through (C). In fiscal years following the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 no funds authorized for Amtrak shall be used for operating expenses other than those prescribed for tax liabilities under section 3221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that are more than the amount needed for benefits of individuals who retire from Amtrak and for their beneficiaries.”. (b) Amtrak Reform Legislation.—This Act constitutes Amtrak reform legislation within the meaning of section 977(f)(1) of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.