(The Associated Press circulated the following on December 10, 2009.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Highlights of the $1.1 trillion spending bill before the House on Thursday:
• $519 billion in routine payments for Medicare and Medicaid.
• $3.9 billion for more than 5,000 “earmarks” — or homestate projects sought by lawmakers.
• A pay raise for federal employees averaging 2 percent.
• Establishes an appeals process for automobile dealers closed by General Motors and Chrysler.
• Eases restrictions on federal funding of needle exchange programs to combat the spread of disease by drug users.
• Allows Amtrak passengers to transport firearms in checked luggage.
• $68.2 billion for the Education Department.
• $109.6 billion for veterans programs, a 15 percent increase, including $45.1 billion for health care.
• $7.3 billion for the 2010 Census.
• $18.7 billion for NASA, a 5 percent increase.
• $7.9 billion for the FBI, a 7 percent increase.
• $3.7 billion for grants to state and local law enforcement.
• $5.1 billion for heating subsidies for the poor, almost 40 percent more than requested.
• $41 billion for highway construction, a slight increase.
• $1.6 billion to subsidize Amtrak.