(Source: Associated Press, June 30, 2012)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The GOP-controlled House on Friday passed legislation boosting Amtrak’s budget for updating rail lines and increasing funding for community development grants to local governments.
The $107 billion measure passed easily on a 261-163 vote, its momentum helped by increases for some programs favored by Democrats. But most Democrats still oppose the measure.
Overall, the measure cuts slightly below current levels, blending cuts to transit programs with the increases for Amtrak.
Friday’s measure would award a $384 million increase to Amtrak that boosts its funding to $1.8 billion. Included is a new $500 million bridge and tunnel repair program. Amtrak operating subsidies would be cut more modestly than in recent years, from Obama’s $466 million request to $350 million. Republicans noted that Amtrak’s operating loss for the current budget year is projected to drop to $345 million, $100 million below last year’s loss.
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