U.S. House panels to vote on $57 billion boost for transportation
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[February 10, 2021]
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two U.S. House
panels will vote Wednesday on a plan to provide about $57 billion in
assistance to transportation sectors and workers as part of a $1.9
trillion COVID-19 relief plan.
Reuters first reported on Monday many of the details of the plans to
provide new assistance to U.S. airlines, transit systems, airports and
passenger railroad Amtrak and create a $3 billion program to assist
aviation manufacturers with payroll costs.
The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal calls for $30 billion for
public transit agencies, $14 billion for passenger airlines, $8 billion
to U.S. airports and concessionaires, $1 billion for airline
contractors, $1.5 billion to Amtrak and $3 billion for a temporary
payroll support program for aerospace manufacturing, the legislation
says.
"This plan takes another critical step toward preventing essential
systems from collapsing under the weight of the pandemic and will help
to keep millions of Americans out of unemployment lines," said
Representative Peter DeFazio, who chairs the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee that will vote on most of the provisions.
President Joe Biden had proposed just $20 billion for struggling U.S.
transit agencies - and nothing for airlines or airports.
Transit agencies have previously been awarded $39 billion in emergency
assistance by Congress. Airports and concessionaires previously received
$12 billion.
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Members of the National Guard patrol at the U. S. Capitol as the
second impeachment trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump is
scheduled to begin in Washington, U.S., February 9, 2021.
REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
The $30 billion for transit includes $26.1 billion in grants for
transit agencies located in areas with 50,000 or more people, $280.9
million for rural transit agencies, $100 million for rural intercity
bus service and $2.2 billion for the administration to allocate to
transit agencies with greatest needs.
Democrats rejected a $40 billion request by a group representing
private bus and ferry companies.
U.S. airlines have been awarded $40 billion in payroll support since
March. The additional $14 billion will keep nearly 30,000 airline
workers on the job through Sept. 30.
On Wednesday, the House Financial Services Committee will consider
the $14 billion for airline workers and $1 billion for contractors.
The $3 billion aerospace manufacturing program would provide a 50%
government subsidy to cover pay, benefits and training for employees
at risk of being furloughed or who were furloughed due to the
pandemic.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by David Gregorio)
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