House Appropriations OKs FY2020 THUD bill

[TinCan782]

• $2 billion for Amtrak, $50 million above the 2019 enacted level and $1.1 billion above the president’s budget request;
https://www.progressiverailroading....se-Appropriations-OKs-FY2020-THUD-bill--57740

 

[MARC Rider]

• $2 billion for Amtrak, $50 million above the 2019 enacted level and $1.1 billion above the president’s budget request;
https://www.progressiverailroading....se-Appropriations-OKs-FY2020-THUD-bill--57740

Hmm.. Total "Public Transportation and Passenger Rail" funding is 16.2 billion, so even at these increased levels, Amtrak is a minor part of this total appropriation.

The "50 million" (0.05 billion) increase in the Amtrak appropriation over the 2019 enacted suggest that the 2019 enacted was 1.95 billion. I really wish these journalists would use consistent units and not force us to do math to figure things out.

Apparently, the Amtrak appropriation in the President's budget request was for 0.9 billion. Does anyone remember what the President's budget request for 2019 was? He was obviously willing to settle for a 1.95 billion appropriation for 2019, in the end.

I guess there are two political questions remaining: 1) What will the Senate do? and 2) What kind of deal will the great Dealmaker in chief settle for?

Of course, in the great sweep of the appropriation battles, 2 billion dollars is less than chump change, so I suspect there isn't going to be a government shutdown over the Amtrak appropriation.

 

[user 14106]

Ultimately I don't think Trump himself cares that much. I think the Amtrak cuts are there because of the Heritage Foundation's role in crafting the budget.