WASHINGTON - As President Barack Obama's spending proposals make their way through the Congress, a House committee has given his high-speed rail initiative - which includes plans for a corridor through northeast Georgia - a big boost.
The president had sought $1 billion for the construction of a high-speed system and other intercity rail lines. That was on top of $8 billion included in the economic stimulus.
However, the House Appropriations Committee has decided to make it $4 billion. One panel member says the earlier money has generated grant requests for high-speed rail projects totaling $70 billion.
The overall bill totals $123 billion in transportation and housing programs. That includes a $1.5 billion subsidy for Amtrak and $150 million for Washington, D.C.'s Metro. The capital's commuter rail system has a long-overdue maintenance needs and is recovering from a crash last month that killed nine people.