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Congressional leaders recently released text of the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008,” an omnibus package that would provide appropriations for non-defense federal programs for fiscal-year 2008, which began Oct. 1.

The spending bill includes $9.4 billion for the federal transit program, a $412 million (or 4.6 percent) increase compared with FY2007. The legislation also would provide $1.6 million for the New Starts program, a $3.1 million increase compared with last year but $131 million below the level authorized under SAFETEA-LU. In addition, the bill would appropriate $400 million for transit and rail security, a $125 million increase compared with FY2007’s funding level.

The House approved the bill late last night; the Senate is expected to review the legislation today. Final approval is expected by week’s end, according to the American Public Transportation Association.