The U.S. Senate passed the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act

. Sent to the White House for President George W. Bush's signature, the legislation includes appropriations for fiscal years 2008-2011 and various rail safety provisions. According to Amtrak, the $12.9 billion, five-year reauthorization "creates for the first time a state and federal funding partnership which places rail passenger service on a more equal footing with other modes, and encourages rail corridor development."