This Week in Politics: Hellish Commute Is 'Only a Preview'

Two minor derailments in the last two weeks shut down Penn Station and led to major problems for New York City commuters.

Amtrak accepted responsibility for the latest derailment – and New Jersey Gov Christie was only too happy to pile on the blame.

"They're the owner of the rails, and they need to make sure they're safe for our people to travel on them," Christie said, "especially since our taxpayers both through taxes and through fares are paying an enormous amount for those rails to be in a state of good repair."

The governor also threatened to withhold NJ Transit's rent payment to Amtrak for use of the tracks.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker says this week's nightmare commute was "only a preview of what we are screaming toward right now in the Northeast." He says a failure to invest in big infrastructure projects will continue to hurt travelers and businesses all along the east coast.

Andrea Bernstein, WNYC's Senior Editor for Politics & Policy joins host David Furst to talk about the region's aging infrastructure.