FY11 continuing resolution zeros out funding for high-speed rail

Today, the House unveiled its version of the continuing resolution for the remainder of fiscal-year 2011. The High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) program was just one casualty of the more than $38 billion in funding cuts. The House version of the bill calls for zeroing out funding for high-speed rail in FY2011, plus rescinding $400 million of unobligated balances in the HSIPR account.

However, given that $2.4 billion of HISPR funding is being redirected from Florida, that still leaves $2 billion available for the U.S. Department of Transportation to redistribute to states that applied for a portion of Florida's funds on April 4.

In FY2010, $2.5 billion was allocated for the HSIPR program. President Obama's original FY2011 budget request included $1 billion for for HSIPR. 

Although the latest high-speed funding cut is included in the House’s version of the continuing resolution, it is the product of negotiations with the Senate and White House, said American High Speed Rail Alliance board member Chuck Baker in an email.

“It is going to pass the House this week, then pass the Senate unchanged, then be signed by the President unchanged,” he said. “We expect it to be law by Friday.”

— Angela Cotey