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The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies recently approved a fiscal-year 2008 funding bill that proposes $1.47 billion for Amtrak.

The appropriation would be $176 million more than the national intercity passenger railroad’s FY2007 earmark and $570 million more than the Bush Administration included for Amtrak in its proposed FY2008 budget.

The legislation also proposes $100 million for a new grant program that would match state contributions for intercity passenger-rail operations, and includes language that would prohibit Amtrak from moving any of its jobs overseas.

In addition, the bill includes $187.4 million for national railroad safety inspection and enforcement efforts, including $3 million to improve hazardous materials transportation.

The bill now will be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee.