President Barack Obama called on the U.S. government to increase funding for the nation's infrastructure in light of the Amtrak train derailment that killed eight people earlier this week.

Investigators say that the New York-bound train was traveling at 106 mph through a curve with a 50-mph speed limit when it derailed in Philadelphia on Tuesday, killing eight people while leaving eight others criticially injured, reports The Wall Street Journal.

While the National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the case, Democratic lawmakers have been pushing for additional funding to repair old rails and bridges. On Thursday, President Obama echoed that sentiment, stressing the need for greater federal spending on infrastructure.

"Until we know for certain what caused this tragedy, I just want to reiterate what I have already said: That we are a growing country, with a growing economy. We need to invest in the infrastructure that keeps up that way and not just when something bad happens like a bridge collapse or a train derailment but all the time. That's what great nations do," Obama said at a Camp David press conference, according to CNN.

Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey who frequently rides Amtrak, also released a statement emphasizing the need for more infrastructure funding.

"We do not know what caused this accident, but we do know that we need to invest in 21st-century systems and equipment and stop relying on patchwork upgrades to old, rusted 19th-century rail lines," he said, reports USA Today. "I ride the Acela, which is supposed to be our high-speed rail. It is shake, rattle and roll."

Despite the renewed push to restore our nation's infrastructure, the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee voted on Wednesday to reduce grants to Amtrak by $252 million. This would decrease the funding by about 15 percent compared to last year.