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Yesterday, the Senate passed H.R. 3, its version of Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century reauthorization legislation. The $293.8 billion bill would provide $53.8 billion in federal transit funding through 2009.

Prior to passage, the Senate rejected an amendment proposed by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) that would have cut funding for the bill by more than $10 billion, including $5 billion for transit.

Last month, the House passed its version, Transportation Equity Act, A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU), which would authorize $284 billion for federal transit and highway programs, including $52.3 billion for transit.

Now, a Senate and House conference committee will try to resolve differences between the two bills.