Democrats Claim Trump Administration Freezes Federal Transit Grants

In a joint letter sent on Tuesday, 42 members of the House and Senate—including Rep. Rick Larsen, the lead Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren—assert that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the White House Office of Management and Budget have “stonewalled” the Capital Investment Grants program. The lawmakers note that no new grant agreements have been signed since the start of the Trump administration, leaving major subway, rail and bus projects in limbo.

Seattle TimesNew York Times

The multibillion-dollar Capital Investment Grants program, created to help communities fund large-scale transit expansions, received more than $5 billion in congressional appropriations for the current fiscal year. According to the letter, the budget office has moved that entire amount “out of reach” for new grants, effectively freezing the pool. The administration also attempted to cut funding for three marquee projects that received Biden-era grants: the Gateway Tunnel and Second Avenue Subway in New York, and the Red Line extension in Chicago.

New York Times

In contrast, the FTA announced a $1.28 billion commitment to Utah’s FrontRunner 2X project, which still requires an additional $1.92 billion from other sources before a final grant agreement can be signed, likely not until next spring. Projects in Los Angeles and Boston remain stalled despite higher FTA assessment scores than the Utah effort.

Seattle Times

Russell Vought, the White House budget director, said the freeze was intended to ensure funds were not “based on unconstitutional DEI principles.” Federal judges have subsequently blocked the proposed cuts. “The truth is FTA is investing into transformative transportation projects across the country — regardless of politics — all while fighting to enhance safety for the millions of Americans who are tired of being afraid every time they get on public transit,” — Peyton Vogel, an FTA spokesperson.

Seattle Times

Rep. Former FTA administrator Peter Rogoff warned that “delay by itself is one way to kill off a project — letting the costs rise to an unaffordable level” “Delay by itself is one way to kill off a project — letting the costs rise to an unaffordable level,” — Peter Rogoff, a former FTA administrator and former head of Sound Transit in Seattle, noting that rising construction costs could force taxpayers to shoulder higher shares or cause projects to be abandoned.

Seattle Times

• “The truth is FTA is investing into transformative transportation projects across the country — regardless of politics — all while fighting to enhance safety for the millions of Americans who are tired of being afraid every time they get on public transit,” — Peyton Vogel, an FTA spokesperson

Seattle Times

• “Delay by itself is one way to kill off a project — letting the costs rise to an unaffordable level,” — Peter Rogoff, a former FTA administrator and former head of Sound Transit in Seattle

Seattle Times