Highlights of a $1.1 trillion spending bill before the Senate funding government agencies:

_$519 billion in routine payments for Medicare and Medicaid.

_$3.9 billion for more than 5,000 "earmarks," or home-state 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 District of Columbia 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 nationwide 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.