Former Amtrak board members Floyd Hall and Enrique Sosa have been reappointed to Amtrak's board by President George W. Bush, who bypassed the Senate to give the money-losing passenger railroad enough directors to conduct business.

Following that announcment, US Secretary of Transportation made the following statement:

"Since the President first appointed Floyd Hall and Enrique Sosa in 2004, they have worked tirelessly, donating their time, energy, and significant business expertise to reforming Amtrak. Their nominations have been before Congress for almost two years, and as there has been no action on either of them, the President has moved to ensure Amtrak's board has enough members needed to establish a quorum. I look forward to working with Congress to ensure timely action is taken on future board nominations so Amtrak can be in the best possible position to better serve travelers' needs."

The appointments bring Amtrak's board to four members, the minimum necessary to transact business under the railroad's bylaws. The board, which still has three vacancies, now has authority to take steps such as hiring a new chief executive to replace David Gunn, who was fired Nov. 9.

Hall, a former Kmart Corp. chief executive, and Sosa, a former BP Amoco Chemicals president, return to the board after their previous appointments lapsed when the Senate adjourned for 2005 on Dec. 22. Bush can fill the slots without confirmation while the Senate is in recess. Today's action puts the two in the posts through most of 2007.

Bush first appointed Hall in July 2004 and Sosa the following month after the Senate failed to confirm the men to five-year terms. The Hall and Sosa appointments lapse under U.S. law after the Senate adjourns the following year.