Compromise spending bill maintains Amtrak funding NEWSWIRE

WASHINGTON — The budget compromise that Congress passed last night and is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump today funds Amtrak at $1.9 billion, equal to last year’s level, according to a summary document issued by House Democrats. The bill also includes $670 million for rail infrastructure improvements.

Overall, the Federal Railroad Administration budget of $2.9 billion is $218 million below fiscal year 2018 and $1.9 billion above the president’s budget request.

The Federal Transit Administration gets a cut of $67 million from last year’s budget, but at $13.4 billion, is funded $2.3 billion higher than the president wanted. Transit infrastructure grants get $700 million and capital investment grants are funded at $2.6 billion.

National infrastructure investments, in the form of TIGER or BUILD grants, are budgeted at $900 million, which is a $600 million reduction from fiscal 2018. The funding is to be allocated equally to rural and urban areas.

By comparison, the Federal Highway Administration gets an increase of $1.8 billion over last year.

The bill includes no further funding for California’s high speed rail project.