The twenty-one GOP lawmakers in the House who supported doubling Amtrak's budget extracted a promise from Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) that he would attempt to restore funds for highway projects cut in the omnibus spending package. The projects were cut by Appropriations Chairman Ernest Istook (R-Oklahoma) in retaliation for a letter all 21 signed supported an increase in Amtrak's budget. Because of the timing of the move, the bill was signed before any of the affected members could protest the cuts.