House votes against Amtrak cuts in THUD bill markup

(Photo: Photo Phiend / Flickr)(Photo: Photo Phiend / Flickr)

In a markup of its version of the an appropriations bill for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD), the House voted against proposals to make significant cuts to Amtrak funding, The Hill reports.

The bill, which the House Appropriations Committee approved last month, approves $52 billion for the two departments through September 2015.

During the bill’s markup on Monday, Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) offered proposals to amend the bill and slash Amtrak funding. Broun said the cuts would urge the rail service to improve its customer service and management.

The first cut Broun suggested would have removed the $340 million allocated for Amtrak in the THUD bill, and his second proposal would have cut the company’s funding by 10 percent, or $34 million.

Other programs, including TIGER grants as well as bike and pedestrian projects, saw cuts during the Appropriations Committee markup.