"The House was unable to pass its THUD funding bill last year amid intra-party fighting between some Republicans who want to dismantle funding for Amtrak and other Republicans (mostly in swing districts) who are opposed to $1.5 billion in Amtrak cuts currently in the THUD bill, H.R. 4820 (118). Democrats aren’t likely to support the bill with rail cuts included, leaving House Speaker Mike Johnson searching for a way to unite his caucus.

The House and Senate have until Jan. 19 to sort out their THUD differences or else face a partial government shutdown (other funding bills including defense have a Feb. 2 deadline). The House bill as written provides $99 million for the Northeast Corridor and $776 million for the nationwide Amtrak network for a total of about $876 million in fiscal 2024. The Senate THUD appropriations bill, which passed in November, includes $1.14 billion for the Northeast Corridor and $1.31 billion for the national network — an Amtrak funding level that is similar to fiscal 2023 levels."