The Republican omnibus FY03 appropriations bill is on the Senate floor today. Associated Press confirms that it includes $763 million for Amtrak, about the same as the "shutdown" level as the House committee approved last year. Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, plans to offer an amendment to restore Amtrak funding to the $1.2 billion which David Gunn says is the minimum Amtrak needs, and which the full committee approved last year. The Amtrak amendment is expected to be the third amendment considered and could come up some time this afternoon or this evening. Starting at noon, the Senate is expected to consider a Byrd (D-WV) amendment restoring $5 billion to homeland security funding, and then move to an amendment that would restore education funding. The Capitol Hill switchboard, which can reach all Hill offices, is 202/224-3121. More contact information is at www.narprail.org -- but time is short, so phone and perhaps fax are the best ways to communicate. --Ross B. Capon, NARP Executive Director Erin E. Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]