By Ron Thaniel
August 5, 2002

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $64.6 billion FY03 Transportation spending bill on Thursday, July 25 that includes $31.8 billion in highway funds, an $8.6 billion increase over the President's budget request.

In the fiscal 2002 emergency supplemental spending bill (HR 4775), House and Senate appropriators received administration approval to authorize a $4.4 billion increase for FY03 over the administration's request. However, Senate appropriators instead agreed on the $8.6 billion increase, citing the adverse effect on highway safety and possible loss of construction jobs if the money were not approved.

The Senate appropriators also approved $1.2 billion for Amtrak in FY03. Despite being severely cash'strapped the Administration had only requested $521 million. A federal commitment of $1.2 billion is the minimum necessary to maintain the current system while the Administration and Congress deal with the long-term financial challenges and reforms as part of the Amtrak reauthorization.

The fiscal 2002 supplemental spending bill contains $205 million for Amtrak to keep the national system operating through the end of September.

The appropriators also approved $4.95 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, $150 million more than the President's request. Of that total, $200 million is earmarked for airport modifications needed to install explosive-detection systems and trace detection systems for checked baggage.

The Administration did not request any fiscal 2003 funds for such modifications. Appropriators said that the money is needed if the agency is to meet its December 31 deadline to screen all checked baggage for explosives under the law.

The appropriators also approved $5.8 billion for the Coast Guard, which in conjunction with $300 million in the FY03 Defense spending bill would be an $832.3 million increase over the fiscal 2002 enacted level and $165 million more than the President had requested.

Also approved were $13.6 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration and $7.3 billion for the Federal Transit Administration.

An amendment by Representative Christopher S. Bond, (MO), adopted by a voice vote, would expand the federal axle weight restriction to cover private bus companies as well as public agencies.