Federal government puts $18B of infrastructure funds for NYC 'on hold'
President Joe Biden arrives at the construction site of the Hudson Tunnel Project, Jan. 31, 2023, in New York. Credit: AP/John Minchillo
On Day 1 of the shutdown, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought suddenly posted on social media that “roughly $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects have been put on hold."
His explanation in the X posting was the move is needed to ensure funding is not flowing based on “unconstitutional” diversity, equity and inclusion principles. He said more information would be provided soon from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
But the timing comes just as two New Yorkers — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) — are leading Democrats in their shutdown standoff against President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.
There was no immediate response from the two Democrats.
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