Westmoreland named to Amtrak board

President Donald J. Trump has named former Republican Congressman Leon Acton “Lynn” Westmoreland of Georgia—who as a member of Congress voted at least twice to defund Amtrak—to the Amtrak Board of Directors for a five-year term.

Westmoreland, 67, served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years after serving 12 years in the Georgia House of Representatives. During his time in Congress, he served on the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for six years. Westmoreland also served on the Financial Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

In 2009, Westmoreland voted in favor of an amendment to the American Recovery and Investment Act that would have ended all funding for Amtrak. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Az.) was defeated, 116-320. In 2015, Westmoreland again voted against Amtrak funding.

Westmoreland started his own construction business in 1982 and did residential and light commercial construction until his election to Congress in 2004. He currently serves as principal of Westmoreland Strategies LLC, which provides strategic advice to a variety of clients.