Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Funding Freeze on NY-NJ Rail Tunnel Project
A US federal judge has ordered President Trump to release $16 billion in funds earmarked for the Gateway tunnel project, a massive rail tunnel connecting New York and New Jersey. The decision came after New York and New Jersey sued the Trump administration over the funding freeze.
Judge Jeannette Vargas, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, ruled that the plaintiffs had demonstrated they would suffer imminent harm if the project's operations were shut down. The ruling granted "temporary relief" to the states, which vow to continue fighting for full relief as the litigation unfolds.
The Gateway Development Commission, responsible for building the tunnel, had been forced to halt construction due to the funding freeze, which was imposed by President Trump last October. A line of credit that allowed construction to continue has run dry.
"This is a critical victory for workers and commuters in New York and New Jersey," said Letitia James, New York Attorney General. "The court acted quickly to block this senseless funding freeze, which threatened to derail a project our entire region depends on."
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also welcomed the decision, saying it was "a critical victory" that would allow the project to continue without unnecessary federal interference. The White House did not immediately respond to comment.
The Gateway tunnel project is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the country, with construction expected to be completed by 2035. A frozen funding halt had threatened nearly 1,000 jobs and the immediate loss of public transportation services.
In a surprising move, President Trump had offered to restore the funds during negotiations with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) last month in exchange for renaming New York's Penn Station and Washington's Dulles International Airport after him. However, Schumer vehemently denied the claim.
A US federal judge has ordered President Trump to release $16 billion in funds earmarked for the Gateway tunnel project, a massive rail tunnel connecting New York and New Jersey. The decision came after New York and New Jersey sued the Trump administration over the funding freeze.
Judge Jeannette Vargas, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, ruled that the plaintiffs had demonstrated they would suffer imminent harm if the project's operations were shut down. The ruling granted "temporary relief" to the states, which vow to continue fighting for full relief as the litigation unfolds.
The Gateway Development Commission, responsible for building the tunnel, had been forced to halt construction due to the funding freeze, which was imposed by President Trump last October. A line of credit that allowed construction to continue has run dry.
"This is a critical victory for workers and commuters in New York and New Jersey," said Letitia James, New York Attorney General. "The court acted quickly to block this senseless funding freeze, which threatened to derail a project our entire region depends on."
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also welcomed the decision, saying it was "a critical victory" that would allow the project to continue without unnecessary federal interference. The White House did not immediately respond to comment.
The Gateway tunnel project is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the country, with construction expected to be completed by 2035. A frozen funding halt had threatened nearly 1,000 jobs and the immediate loss of public transportation services.
In a surprising move, President Trump had offered to restore the funds during negotiations with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) last month in exchange for renaming New York's Penn Station and Washington's Dulles International Airport after him. However, Schumer vehemently denied the claim.
"The best way to guarantee a loss is to quit." - Walter Jenkins 
That's exactly what Trump did with his funding freeze on the NY-NJ rail tunnel project! 
It was a short-sighted move that could've had disastrous consequences for thousands of jobs and commuters. But kudos to Judge Vargas for stepping in and restoring some much-needed funds! 
... like i was so worried about that tunnel project getting shut down it would've been a disaster for our region 
... but glad to see that judge Jeannette Vargas stepped in and blocked that funding freeze 
... 16 billion dollars is a huge sum of money, btw 
... it's crazy that trump tried to name stations after himself 
... i mean what even is that? 
This is a huge win for infrastructure development & workers' rights! 
I'm loving how Judge Vargas ruled that the states had to suffer "imminent harm" from the funding freeze – it's all about ensuring critical services don't get shut down 
. Trump trying to name-drop his way out of it by offering those funds in exchange for some major renovations? 
What a desperate move! Schumer wasn't having it, and I'm here for that strong stance 
!
like what even was going on with trump trying to freeze funding for the rail tunnel project? it makes no sense why he'd do that especially considering how many people would lose their jobs and stuff 
anyway i'm glad that judge vargas said something about it finally stopping the whole thing from falling apart 
so like what just happened? a judge said trump cant stop the rail tunnel project from getting money 
and what about the airport thing? renaming airports after yourself? 
sounds kinda weird... maybe Schumer was right to say no? 
At least now we can look forward to completion of this massive project by 2035 and have our transportation services intact. Fingers crossed it doesn't get derailed again anytime soon 
those 1k jobs and public transportation services are everything to NYC & NJ commuters... it's not just about getting from one side of the bridge to the other, it's about quality of life. And can we talk about the drama with Trump trying to name airports after himself? 
like, come on! It's a public transportation project, not a presidential ego trip. Glad Letitia James and Mikie Sherrill are speaking out for their constituents... this is what leadership looks like 
lets be real, trump tried to bribe chuck schumer with renaming airports after himself lol what a total joke 
It's not like millions of commuters are gonna be stuck in traffic or worse, without this project happening by 2035. Can you even imagine? 
The whole region depends on it! 
Talk about a weird negotiating tactic! 
but thankfully judge vargas stepped in & blocked the funding freeze $16 billion is a huge amount of money & it's going straight to helping thousands of workers & commuters get their jobs back 
letitia james & mikie sherrill are total heroes for fighting for this cause 
meanwhile, jobs and commuters were just chillin worrying about their futures 
lets hope construction can start again soon so those jobs don't get lost 
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. gotta love a good ol' fashioned politician showdown 
. And what's with the renaming offer? Is Trump really trying to buy off Schumer and get his name on some airports? 