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The no-spending debate continues on Capitol Hill, and high-speed rail is in the thick of it.

After Congress approved $8 billion for high-speed rail in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 — and, subsequently, $2.5 billion in fiscal-year 2010 transportation appropriations funds — many members of the new Congress have taken a stance against high-speed and intercity passenger rail. Funding for the program was zeroed out in FY2011, and the prospect for additional funds in the near term seems dim.

But there’s still hope for the program, says Richard Arena, president of the Association for Public Transportation. During a webcast to be held Oct. 5 on HSRupdates.com, Arena will discuss how to market high-speed rail in a volatile political climate. He will outline the tangible benefits of high-speed rail, and how those benefits can be relayed to the American public and members of Congress to rally more support for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program.

The webcast — which will air at 1 p.m. (EDT) — is free for HSRupdates.com subscribers; non-subscribers can view the webcast for $49. To register for HSRupdates.com, follow this link. To register for the webcast only, click here.