Before recessing for Thanksgiving on Friday, November 18, both Houses of Congress approved the conference agreement on the Fiscal Year 2006 Departments of Transportation, Treasury.... Before recessing for Thanksgiving on Friday, November 18, both Houses of Congress approved the conference agreement on the Fiscal Year 2006 Departments of Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill (H.R. 3058).

The House passed the measure by a vote of 392-31, and the Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent. The bill provides $8.590 billion for federal transit programs during the current fiscal year, 12.3 percent or $944 million more than the FY 2005 level. The President is expected to sign the bill soon. Once he does, FTA must by law publish its apportionment of funds within 10 days and FY 2006 transit funds can begin to be made available. Last week the APTA Executive Committee adopted a resolution urging Congress and the Administration to expedite and streamline the flow of SAFTEA-LU funds to enhance private sector business activity depressed by the delay in reauthorization, and APTA staff this week and next are communicating that message in meetings with senior DOT officials.

The FY 2006 Transportation Appropriations bill also provides $1.315 billion for Amtrak, an increase of $107.7 million over FY 2005, but numerous new restrictions have been placed on the railroad's activities. For the first time, funding for Amtrak will be split among three accounts: Capital and Debt Service, Operating Subsidy Grants and Efficiency Incentive Grants with spending limitations and guidelines in each category. Amtrak is also required to cut costs below certain to-be-established baseline costs or federal subsidies for controversial Amtrak services like food service and first class (sleeper car) operations will be cut off next summer.