Thursday, October 02, 2008

Vetoproof $13 Billion for Amtrak

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Congress passed legislation Wednesday to boost funds for Amtrak and expand passenger rail service at a time of record ridership.

The Senate voted 74-24 to approve the five-year, $13 billion bill, which also mandates new safety measures for trains, including collision-avoidance technology. The House passed the bill last week.

The legislation will now proceed to the White House for President Bush's signature. The president threatened to veto a previous Amtrak funding bill earlier this year. But the bill approved Wednesday passed by a margin large enough in both chambers to suggest there is enough support in Congress to overcome a veto.

WSJ

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