In a response to the March terrorist attacks on trains in Madrid, the Senate commerce committee has approved bills aimed at tightening security on U.S. railroads and at domestic seaports. The panel cleared the two measures on April 8 by voice votes.
The rail security bill would authorize about $1.2 billion, including $670 million to upgrade Amtrak and commuter rail tunnels in New York City, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It also would provide $128.5 million for other Amtrak security projects and programs and $185 million to railroads and state and local governments for infrastructure hardening, adding police and canine units and other security improvements. In addition, $100 million would go for research into such areas as detecting explosives, and another $100 million for security of hazardous-materials transportation.