Highlights of $1.1 trillion spending bill in House
APNews
Dec 10, 2009
Highlights of the $1.1 trillion spending bill that passed the House on Thursday:
_$519 billion in routine payments for Medicare and Medicaid.
_$3.9 billion for more than 5,000 "earmarks" _ or homestate projects sought by lawmakers.
_A pay raise for federal employees averaging 2 percent.
_Establishes an appeals process for automobile dealers closed by General Motors and Chrysler.
_Permits the Washington, D.C., government to provide abortions with locally-raised revenue; permits needle exchange programs in the city; and allows implementation of a medical marijuana referendum.
_Eases restrictions on federal funding of needle exchange programs to combat the spread of disease by drug users.
_Allows Amtrak passengers to transport firearms in checked luggage.
_$68.2 billion for the Education Department.
_$109.6 billion for veterans programs, a 15 percent increase, including $45.1 billion for health care.
_$7.3 billion for the 2010 Census.
_$18.7 billion for NASA, a 5 percent increase.
_$7.9 billion for the FBI, a 7 percent increase.
_$3.7 billion for grants to state and local law enforcement.
_$5.1 billion for heating subsidies for the poor, almost 40 percent more than requested.
_$41 billion for highway construction, a slight increase.
_$1.6 billion to subsidize Amtrak.