As investigators search for clues in an Amtrak train derailment that killed eight people, some have called for increased funding for the nation's sagging infrastructure.
The rail line, however, received $1.3 billion from the most recent federal stimulus, in 2009, including $850 million directly to infrastructure on top of its $1.4 billion budget for that year,
the Washington Free Beacon reported, adding that the stimulus money was allocated between 2009 and 2011.
Amtrak received from money through a Department of Transportation grant in which 50 percent of funds were supposed to be dedicated "to 'infrastructure improvements' in the Northeast Corridor" — where the train derailed, the Free Beacon said,
citing recovery.gov records.
The latest accident, which some have blamed on the train's excessive speed, marks the ninth derailment this year,
CNN reported, as National Transportation Safety Board inspectors continue to review footage of the train speeding up right before it crashed.
Concerns about stimulus funding come as Hill Democrats, as well as New York's Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio, argue for increased infrastructure payouts, chiding Republicans for not turning enough attention to the nation's growing needs.
MSNBC host Joe Scarborough questioned the stimulus spending, pondering where it might have went in an interview with former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed. Rendell, the Free Beacon said.
"So what happened with the stimulus bill?" Scarborough said. "We spent a hell of a lot of money on the stimulus package, did that go towards infrastructure? Any of it?"
Said Rendell: "Not enough."
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