US President Donald Trump's decision to pause federal funding for a $16 billion Hudson River train tunnel project has brought construction to a grinding halt, leaving thousands of workers and millions of dollars on the line. With the project near the end of its credit line, officials are warning that if the logjam isn't resolved, work will come to an abrupt stop as early as February 6.
The Gateway tunnel project, which would connect New York and New Jersey with a new set of tunnels under the Hudson River, has been plagued by controversy since President Trump ordered federal funding to be paused in October while his administration reviewed whether the project's contractors complied with new rules on contracts for women- and minority-owned businesses.
However, instead of resolving the issue, White House officials have shifted blame to Democrats' immigration policies. In a statement, White House spokesperson Kush Desai claimed that Democrats are standing in the way of a deal for the Gateway Tunnel Project by refusing to negotiate with the Trump administration.
Construction leaders and labor unions, however, remain skeptical of this explanation, and are urging President Trump to resume funding for the project as soon as possible. If work comes to a halt, it would be disastrous for the thousands of workers who rely on their jobs to support themselves and their families.
"It's insane," said Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader from New York, during a meeting of the Gateway Development Commission. "There is only one person who can get this project back on track, and that is President Trump."
Gateway CEO Tom Prendergast warned that if construction comes to a halt next week, 1,000 workers would be immediately terminated, losing their jobs and their homes. "If you suspend a job and have to close it down and secure it to start it up, you not only lose time, but you are spending money on things you didn't anticipate to spend money on," he said.
The project's financial woes are also being highlighted by Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who warned that if the funding is not restored, $1 billion in taxpayer dollars would be wasted and residents would be left with a huge half-finished pit in their backyard.
The fate of the Gateway tunnel project remains uncertain as Congress heads towards a partial government shutdown over the weekend. One thing is clear: without immediate action from President Trump, thousands of workers and millions of dollars will be lost forever.
The Gateway tunnel project, which would connect New York and New Jersey with a new set of tunnels under the Hudson River, has been plagued by controversy since President Trump ordered federal funding to be paused in October while his administration reviewed whether the project's contractors complied with new rules on contracts for women- and minority-owned businesses.
However, instead of resolving the issue, White House officials have shifted blame to Democrats' immigration policies. In a statement, White House spokesperson Kush Desai claimed that Democrats are standing in the way of a deal for the Gateway Tunnel Project by refusing to negotiate with the Trump administration.
Construction leaders and labor unions, however, remain skeptical of this explanation, and are urging President Trump to resume funding for the project as soon as possible. If work comes to a halt, it would be disastrous for the thousands of workers who rely on their jobs to support themselves and their families.
"It's insane," said Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader from New York, during a meeting of the Gateway Development Commission. "There is only one person who can get this project back on track, and that is President Trump."
Gateway CEO Tom Prendergast warned that if construction comes to a halt next week, 1,000 workers would be immediately terminated, losing their jobs and their homes. "If you suspend a job and have to close it down and secure it to start it up, you not only lose time, but you are spending money on things you didn't anticipate to spend money on," he said.
The project's financial woes are also being highlighted by Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who warned that if the funding is not restored, $1 billion in taxpayer dollars would be wasted and residents would be left with a huge half-finished pit in their backyard.
The fate of the Gateway tunnel project remains uncertain as Congress heads towards a partial government shutdown over the weekend. One thing is clear: without immediate action from President Trump, thousands of workers and millions of dollars will be lost forever.
... I mean, can't they just figure out what's going on with this project already? It's like, billions of dollars are at stake here and thousands of people are counting on their jobs to support themselves and their families... it's not just about the money, it's about people's lives 
. And now, instead of working together to find a solution, everyone's pointing fingers at each other... it's just so annoying 
. What's going on with these politicians, can't they all just get along and figure out what's best for the country? 
this is so frustrating! The whole country is going to pay for this if construction stops. I mean, 1,000 workers losing their jobs? That's just crazy talk 
. And $1 billion down the drain because of politics? It's not like they're building a new wall or something 
. What's next, are we gonna let infrastructure projects die over partisan squabbles? Come on, guys! Let's get this tunnel project back on track already 
. It's not that hard to find a compromise and make some deals. This is just gonna hurt so many people who need these jobs. 
Thousands of people's livelihoods are on the line here, but no one wants to take responsibility for their own mess. Trump's just passing the blame game like a hot potato 
. And Schumer is totally right, it's only one person who can get this project back on track - Trump himself 
. One thing's for sure, if this project doesn't get funded ASAP, we'll be left with a giant hole in the Hudson River and a whole lot of wasted tax dollars 
This whole situation with the Hudson River train tunnel project is insane 
. Thousands of workers are counting on their jobs to support themselves and their families 
. It's not like the Gateway project isn't important – think about all the people who rely on public transportation in New York and NJ 
. And now, it's just sitting there with millions of dollars stuck in a credit line 
. It's like the White House is playing games with people's lives 
. I mean, what even is the point of saying that Democrats are standing in the way if you're not going to negotiate? 
. I mean, the Gateway tunnel project has been in the works for ages, and now it's like they're all stuck because of a few bureaucratic hoops. Thousands of workers are counting on these jobs to support their families, and it's just getting put on hold.
It's not that hard to work together and find common ground. This isn't about the politics; it's about people's lives. And let's be real, the Trump admin is playing the blame game like pros 
. They're trying to make everyone think Democrats are just being obstructionist when really, they're just trying to hold a deal that could benefit everyone.
. I mean, come on, it's not like we haven't seen infrastructure projects stall before 
. This is not just about the project; it's about the people who are counting on it 
.
.
. It's time for some real leadership around here! 
and another thing whats with these congressional ppl, always talkin about who's fault its is... Schumer says Trump should just do it but gottheimer says dont wanna waste taxpayer money lol kinda like me when i overspend on fortnite skins 
It's insane how politics can stall something so important, especially when thousands of workers are counting on their jobs. Can't believe they're blaming Democrats for this one... that just doesn't add up, you know?