The Assembly passed $8 billion in funding for high-speed rail and other projects on Thursday, sending the bill back to the state Senate for final approval.

After the 51-27 vote on the Assembly floor, Speaker John Pérez (D-Los Angeles) said in a statement that high-speed rail has "enormous potential for California." But the funding faces an uncertain future in the Senate, which is expected to vote Friday.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) reiterated that it will be a tight vote.