P.M. BRIEFING : House Overrides Bush’s Veto of $2 Billion in Aid to Amtrak
The House voted 294 to 123 today to override President Bush’s veto of a bill authorizing $2 billion for Amtrak and increasing government power over freight railroad acquisitions.
The override measure went to the Senate, where the vote was expected to be closer. A two-thirds vote of both houses is required to turn back a presidential veto. Congress has failed to override all 10 previous Bush vetoes.
Bush has said he would support Amtrak funding, unlike former President Ronald Reagan, but has objected to increased power to be given the Interstate Commerce Commission, calling it “a step backward for the entire rail industry.”
Democrats argued that the ICC already has power over sale of part of a railroad or sale of more than one railroad to investors outside the industry but has decided it cannot scrutinize sale of a whole railroad.
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