An influential group of House Republicans is proposing to eliminate about $1.6 billion a year in Amtrak grants, $2 billion in New Starts grants, and $2.5 billion in intercity and high-speed rail grants. The New Starts program funds commuter rail, light rail, heavy rail, bus rapid transit, streetcar, and ferry projects across the nation.

The group is the Republican Study Committee, and membership includes about two-thirds of House Republicans. The proposal is part of a larger plan to cut $100 billion from non-defense discretionary spending in the current budget year. House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier commented that "We want to just as quickly as possible begin this process of reducing the size and reach of government."

Will the proposal pass? What's it mean for WA transportation stakeholders?


The House Republican proposal can be considered as one end of the spectrum of proposals, and is unlikely to become law as drafted. The Senate and White House would certainly strongly oppose cuts that deep.

But the proposal should not be dismissed. It will gain significant support in the House and some support within the Senate.

And even if the cuts were reduced by half, there still would be a significantly negative impact on current and future light rail and transit projects and in particular, the future of intercity passenger rail. Advocates better be dusting off their advocacy communications plans.

Here are some recent projects funded through programs the House Republicans propose to de-fund:

2011 fiscal year (note: proposed funding which is not yet passed into law)
West Seattle Bus Rapid Transit, $21,274,000
Sound Transit University Link LRT Extension, $110,000,000
Columbia River Crossing, $29,000,000

2010 fiscal year (approximate funding)
Bellevue to Redmond Bus Rapid Transit, $9,368,193
Seattle Pacific Highway South Bus Rapid Transit, $6,815
Sound Transit University Link LRT Extension, $110,000,000
Sound Transit, Central Link Light Rail, Initial Link, $3,144,294

2009 fiscal year (approximate funding)
Bellevue to Redmond Bus Rapid Transit, $10,952,330
Sound Transit, Central Link Light Rail, Initial Link, $25,962,062
Sound Transit University Link LRT Extension, $100,000,000
Seattle Pacific Highway South Bus Rapid Transit, $281,520

Sources and additional reading:

"Republicans Propose Spending Cuts Targeting Amtrak, Transit Funding," Streetsblog Capitol Hill

"Republican committee members propose to slash transit funding through spending cut bill," Progressive Railroading

"Spending cuts would hit Amtrak, Metro,"Washington Post