House passes Amtrak bill despite veto threat

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

WASHINGTON —A $14.3 billion Amtrak bill that would open up the Northeast Corridor to private competition passed the House on Tuesday.

But the 227-187 margin fell short of the two-thirds majority required to override President Bush’s threatened veto.

...

In addition to providing Amtrak operating subsidies over five years, the measure seeks to boost investment in high-speed rail.

It also calls for opening up the Washington-to-Boston route and 10 others across the country to private competitors.

...

Though President Bush likes the bill’s privatization proposal, he rejects boosting funding for passenger rail if Amtrak isn’t held more accountable and doesn’t change the way it does business, the White House said in a statement explaining the veto threat.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.d...0/NEWS/80610038