On February 27, members of the States for Passenger Rail Coalition met with members of Congress to discuss passenger rail funding.

The States for Passenger Rail Coalition is an organization of 24 state transportation departments working to enhance passenger rail in America and to advocate for the development of high-speed rail corridors throughout the country. David King, the chair of the coalition and Deputy Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, said at the meeting "states have been investing in their rail systems and are willing to continue to do their part, but they can not be expected to bear this burden alone." King also emphasized that the states "need a strong federal partner to work with states to support short-term stability and a long-term policy and funding solutions for intercity passenger rail."

King urged the federal government to make a greater financial commitment to rail infrastructure, much like it did in the 1950s with highways. According to King, about $60 billion will be needed for intercity passenger rail capital improvements over the next 20 years. King feels high-speed rail is economically viable and a competitive way to serve intercity travelers, traveling a few hundred miles or less. "We can no longer afford to ignore one of our nation’s most valuable transportation and economic assets", added King.

Leading the list of congressional speakers to the group was Rep. Jack Quinn (R-New York), Chairman of the Railroads Subcommittee. Quinn told the group, state transportation officials "will prove invaluable to me as the federal government outlines its role in our nation’s passenger rail system." Also speaking to them was Rep. Howard Coble (R-North Carolina).

On February 26, during a Joint Hearing between the Aviation and Railroad Subcommittees, Rep. John Mica (R-Florida), Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee announced that Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, would reintroduce his high-speed rail bill from the last Congress, sometime this year. Also at the hearing, Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minnesota), Ranking Member of the House T&I Committee expressed hope that the Committee would try to bring up high-speed rail legislation before the reauthorization of TEA 21.