Congress about to kill high-speed train program

[marmar]

WASHINGTON — The House voted Thursday to kill funds for President Barack Obama's signature high-speed rail program, but the initiative may have some life in it still.

Republican lawmakers are claiming credit for killing the program. But billions of dollars still in the pipeline will ensure work will continue on some projects. And it's still possible money from another transportation grant program can be steered to high-speed trains.

Obama had requested $8 billion in fiscal 2012 for the program and $53 billion over six years.

But House-Senate bargainers this week agreed to a broad spending bill that eliminates any funding specifically for high-speed trains. The House approved that legislation Thursday 298-121, and the Senate was expected to send the measure to the White House later in the day. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20111117/US.High.Speed.Trains/?cid=hero_media

[NYC_SKP]

1. K/R for Progress...

We need high speed rail.

[Andy823]

2. It's amazing

How can they take credit for killing something that would create JOBS, the thing they said was the number one priority if they got control of the house, yet have no crated on single but have "KILLED" them instead!

How can anyone in their right mind vote for these morons?

[msongs]

3. how much for a carrier with toilets that don't work? nt

[Newest Reality]

4. There does not seem to be much happening that

shows any vote of confidence for a better future ... well, the military is still doing alright and new weapons are always in R&D with huge price tags.

Do they know something we don't? Of course they do. Can't you see the dirty, old buses packed full with people hanging on the sides and riding on top. Look at the Third-world and the kind of future we are creating may be the same picture.

'Cept for the ones that matter, that is.

[elfin]

5. Oh, fergodssake

I LOVE trains, even creaky Amtrak. They make SO much sense.

I HATE this Congress and its warped priorities.

[valerief]

6. I hate those congressional whores so much. They suck more than leprosy. nt

[Firebrand Gary]

7. This administration better save every bit of those funds. We did not fight in 08 for just HCR.

Good god, this is ridiculous.

[BeyondGeography]

8. Minor league ballplayers

[corpseratemedia]

9. Living on the East coast, we are way past due to have high speed rail

up and down the east coast - at least (also) connecting to chicago, yeah the train service is much better cross country once you reach Chicago, but it's past due for the whole East Coast.

How small a mind do you have to have to make your only reason to be in Congress to vote against anything Obama suggests?

Something needs to replace the pit-holes that deregulated airlines have become.

Or who else is putting money in their pockets to fight against high-speed rail?

[Initech]

10. I'm guessing the Koch Bros. have something to do with it.

We're wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy past due for HSR.

[Volaris]

11. Oil Companies, I would guess...

If you can get from NY to LA on a train that goes damn-near as fast as a jetliner, and uses no jet fuel, you damn-sure wouldn't want to drive for 4 days, and that's a HUGE loss of revenue, if taken across the board.

[ellisonz]

12. Speaker Boehner must be proud.

Vote Dem:think: