Washington Wire: House Rejects Amtrak Subsidy Cut

The House of Representatives voted against cuts for subsidies to Amtrak, which operates key business-travel rail routes between Washington, D.C., and Boston. On July 24, the House voted 328-94 against cutting operating subsidies by $475 million, and 312-104 against reducing debt-service aid by $425 million. A third proposal to divert $106 million in subsidies to help homeless people failed by a vote of 308-110. Amtrak would receive $1.4 billion in federal subsidies for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 in the broader appropriations legislation for transportation programs, still pending in Congress. "Passenger rail is an important part of an overall program to end our dependence on foreign oil and combat congestion on our nation's highways," said Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "We are making sure that Amtrak can make the capital investments necessary to improve the railroad's overall service and reliability." The House approved the broader measure July 25, days before the collapse of a bridge on Interstate 35 in Minneapolis that may affect the bill's fate in negotiations with the Senate. President George W. Bush has threatened to veto the transportation bill in part because it contains $600 million more for Amtrak than he requested.

TSA Rolls Out Security Imaging Tech …
The Transportation Security Administration is rolling out new security technology at airports in Phoenix, Los Angeles and New York-JFK in the coming months. The millimeter wave imaging machines, as well as additional backscatter machines, enable TSA to screen passengers for prohibited items on their person quickly, unobtrusively and without physical contact, detecting weapons, explosives and other metallic and nonmetallic threat items concealed under layers of clothing, the agency said. "Exploring new technologies is critical to enhancing security at all points in the process," said TSA administrator Kip Hawley. "Millimeter wave and backscatter expand our explosives-detection capabilities at the checkpoint, and further testing will allow us to determine the role these technologies can play in the future." It is the first time millimeter wave technology will be deployed to security checkpoints in the United States, TSA said. Backscatter technology has been in place at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport since February. TSA will test the millimeter wave technology and choose one or more vendors for wider deployment. Officers in remote locations will review the images to ensure passengers' privacy. Images won't be stored, transmitted or printed, TSA said.

… Allows Lighters, Breast Milk On Planes
Common cigarette lighters and breast milk again are permitted in carry-on luggage, the Transportation Security Administration said. The change, effective earlier this month, will eliminate one of the biggest sources of contraband collected every year— the 22,000 lighters confiscated daily. "Explosives remain the most significant threat to aviation," TSA administrator Kip Hawley said. "By enabling our officers to focus on the greatest threats, we are using our officers' time and energy more effectively." Torch-style lighters will continue to be prohibited. The new rules for breast milk allow more than 3 ounces to be carried on board and no longer require the milk to be accompanies by an infant. Quantities greater than three ounces must be declared for inspection at checkpoint; the milk doesn't have to be tasted by the mother, TSA said.