'Infrastructure? Who Cares,' Says GOP-Led House as it Slashes Amtrak Budget

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/06/10/infrastructure-who-cares-says-gop-led-house-it-slashes-amtrak-budget



Cuts come month after deadly Philadelphia crash put spotlight on need for increased transportation funding

'Infrastructure? Who Cares,' Says GOP-Led House as it Slashes Amtrak Budget
Lauren McCauley
Wednesday, June 10, 2015

The GOP-led U.S. House of Representatives late Tuesday voted to slash $242 million from the Amtrak budget.

"Amtrak currently receives $1.3 billion from the government, most of which goes toward capital improvements and debt service," AP reports. "The GOP-drafted measure cuts $242 million from capital accounts but fully funds the $289 million request for operating losses."

The vote was part of a GOP effort to weaken U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed infrastructure spending proposal, put forth under a joint transportation and housing budget.

A deadly Amtrak crash on the outskirts of Philadelphia last month put a spotlight on the need for increased funding and support for public transportation services.