Topic: Amtrak

Does Obama budget 'win the future'? Six ways he wants to boost innovation.

The Obama budget proposal for 2012 includes significant funding increases for scientific research and science education. But some supporters of an innovation agenda say it isn't ambitious enough.

GOP critic calls Joe Biden's $53 billion high-speed rail plan 'insanity'

Vice President Joe Biden proposes spending $53 billion on a national high-speed rail network, but important Republicans in the House are less than enthused.

Michele Bachmann, Rand Paul, and 8 others shaking up the new Congress

With the Republican takeover of the House, the shortlist of lawmakers on the rise in both houses of Congress flips, too. Notable is the number of younger members to watch, especially those swept into prominence by the tea party surge. Because this House freshman class - 96 strong, including 87 Republicans - is the largest since 1992, those who speak for them, or claim to, have a leg up. So do those Democrats nimble enough to engage them. Here are ten to watch.

Monster storm? Mountains of snow? We've seen this movie.

For many people in the Northeast, another big winter storm – and the inconveniences it brings – is becoming too much of a pattern. Travel is snarled, schools closed, and snow piles just get higher.

Tea party austerity plan: Would slashing US spending work?

Cutting $2.5 trillion in government spending over 10 years is the tea party's first step toward its 'small government' vision. Whether such measures will boost the economy or add jobs is a leap of faith, economists say.

Tucson shooting spotlights US shift on gun control

Since the Tucson shooting on Jan. 8, federal gun control advocates have made little headway and many states are considering expanding gun rights. Why?

Four hot-button issues Republicans will target next

After fulfilling a campaign pledge to vote to repeal last year's health-care reform law, House Republicans are setting a blistering pace to move new legislation to cut the size and scope of government, including bills that have stoked partisan fires in the past. Here are four key measures to watch.

Aftermath of Arizona shooting: More guns in more hands?

Despite gun control efforts in Congress in the wake of the Arizona shooting, it's unlikely that America will see more gun control laws. In fact, the opposite may happen, at least in Arizona.

The Monitor's View: After the Arizona shooting: coming together for gun control

As President Obama and others try to unite the nation after the Arizona shooting, the country needs to come together for sensible restrictions on guns. A new film by a survivor of the Virginia Tech massacre may help.

As winter storm blasts Northeast, 70 percent of US now coated in snow

Snowfall totals from the winter storm are expected to be 2 feet and higher in parts of New England. New York City got 9 inches of the white stuff. Transportation havoc ensues, especially at airports.

Winter storm bears down on US east coast

Weather forecasters predict a significant winter storm from the Mid-Atlantic through New England, including high winds and heavy snowfall. Hundreds of airline flights have been canceled.

Bill Clinton museum: First Clinton home set to take on historic site status

Bill Clinton museum is set to become a national historic site next year. Foreign visitors have made the Bill Clinton museum in Hope, Arkansas very popular.

Should TSA let airport passenger screening go to the dogs?

It's time to send bomb-detecting dogs sniffing up and down lines of passengers at airports, say some security analysts. Dogs may reduce the need for TSA screening that is more invasive of personal privacy.

Opinion: Will GOP really take on Big Government -- and Obama's straw-man attacks?

The problem for Republicans after Tuesday’s election is that Americans are opposed to Big Government, but only at a high level of abstraction. Translating that general sentiment into specific program cuts that are popular, or even tolerated, is the hard part.

ARC Tunnel project cancellation a matter of dollars and cents: NJ governor

ARC Tunnel: Christie on Wednesday permanently scrapped a $9 billion-plus rail tunnel connecting his state and New York City, a decision that cements his reputation as a cost-cutter and comes at the expense of commuters who endure frequent delays.

Election 2010 all about tea party? It's more: It's year of the outsider.

The tea party has energized Republicans, even if it also complicates life for the GOP after Nov. 2. But the movement is actually part of a larger Election 2010 trend -- one that features the most diverse GOP field in history.

When high-speed trains meet low speed states

States can slow down high-speed trains if they don't pay to keep their rails in shape. What then?

Chelsea Clinton wedding will be a no-fly zone

Chelsea Clinton, her family, and other VIPs attending the wedding will prompt the FAA to declare a no-fly zone 90 minutes north of New York City.

For the love of babka: the Slavic sweet bread with a long tale

Babka, a Slavic sweet bread, took center stage at family gatherings and found its way into travel bags for long trips home.

How to invest in the government-based economy

As the government takes over more of the economy with healthcare reform, where's an investor to turn? Gold.

Health care reform? Mumbai's too busy building the future.

As India develops into a 21st-century power, the US strains to tweak a 19th-century welfare model.

With healthcare reform, economic zombies shuffle toward bankruptcy

Healthcare is about to turn into a zombie industry.

Midwest gets a jump on high-speed rail

Illinois is starting projects such as the renovation of Chicago's Union Station to prepare for the $1.2 billion infusion of federal money for high-speed rail.

Companies to build high-speed rail cars in the US

With a high-speed passenger rail network proposed for the US, companies are gearing up to build the equipment on American soil.

The A to A of Government Inefficiency