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The Senate recently passed its version of the fiscal-year 2004 Transportation, Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act (S.1589), which maintains the Senate Appropriations Committee’s approved budget of $7.3 billion — a $126 million increase compared with FY2003. The bill would provide $1.35 billion for Amtrak

A House-Senate committee plans soon to meet to resolve appropriation differences — the Senate’s version is $74 million higher than the House’s.

The House and Senate have passed a continuing resolution to ensure programs funded through S. 1589 can continue operating until Nov. 7. If Congress does not approve the transportation bill by Nov. 7, another continuing resolution likely would be passed, according to American Public Transportation Association.