(The following appeared on the Journal of Commerce website on December 10, 2009.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A House-Senate conference committee cleared a massive spending bill that provides $122.1 billion in transportation, housing and development funding in 2010.
The appropriations for the Department of Transportation and Department of Housing and Urban Development were part of a $1.1 trillion package funding nine cabinet agencies as well as benefit programs including Medicare.
The bill, which dedicates $447 billion to the nine cabinet departments, will go to the full Senate and House for a final vote, expected by Dec. 18, when stop-gap funding expires.
The bill authorizes $41.8 billion to improve and repair highways, $2.9 billion to modernize air traffic control, $2.5 billion in funding for high-speed intercity passenger rail grants, $3.5 billion to modernize airports, and $1.6 billion for Amtrak.