$65.4-Billion Bill Approved
The Senate approved a $65.4-billion bill Thursday that funds transportation, housing and other federal programs, fending off some conservatives’ attempts to kill public works projects important to individual states.
The fiscal 2006 legislation, passed by a vote of 93 to 1, would boost funding for Federal Aviation Administration operations to $8.2 billion -- an increase of about $463 million -- allowing the agency to hire more air traffic controllers.
It would also give $1.45 billion to Amtrak, the federally subsidized passenger railroad, about $250 million over last year’s levels. The Bush administration said the funding level for Amtrak was unacceptable, leaving open the possibility of a veto.
Overall, the bill would spend nearly $3 billion more than the previous year on various agency programs, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It exceeds the administration’s request by more than $5 billion.
The Senate will have to work out differences with the House before the measure is completed.
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