WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-led Senate Appropriations Committee has voted to provide $100 million to build high-speed rail lines, a small portion of what President Barack Obama has proposed for one of his economic priorities.
The panel voted by voice Wednesday to include the money in a $110 billion transportation and housing bill for next year.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the bill’s author, included nothing for high-speed rail in the original measure, citing budget constraints.
But senators backed an amendment by No. 2 Senate Democratic leader Richard Durbin of Illinois adding the money. He said it would be paid for with unspent money from past home district projects called earmarks.
In the Republican-run House, a subcommittee has approved legislation that denies any of the $8 billion Obama wants for high-speed rail next year.
