Tunnel vision at last
Early construction work on a major rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey can begin this year — but with less money than expected — under an agreement reached Wednesday night by bipartisan congressional leaders.
The $1.3 trillion spending deal will free up $540 million in seed money for the $30 billion Gateway Tunnel project through creative bill writing, according to one congressional source.
The rail project’s builders can seek additional funding by competing for a slice of $2.9 billion in federal transportation grant money.
Another source confirmed the legislation secured enough funds to kickstart construction, although not the $900 million that had initially been pushed by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ).
But the bill would add spending on various rail and transit accounts that Gateway can access.
“The agreement reached last night provides for significant investments in intercity rail and transit,” said John D. Porcari, Interim Executive Director of the Gateway Development Corp. “We appreciate the bipartisan leadership and, between this available funding for Gateway and strong commitments from our two states, we look forward to advancing Gateway construction as quickly as possible.”
Gateway had been a sticking point between White House and congressional negotiators.
Congress must pass the legislation —which also funds a border wall, school safety grants and gun background-check improvements — by 11:59 p.m. Friday to avert another government shutdown.
The White House signaled Wednesday that President Trump will back the plan after discussions with House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“The president and the leaders discussed their support for the bill, which includes more funds to rebuild the military, such as the largest pay raise for our troops in a decade, more than 100 miles of new construction for the border wall and other key domestic priorities, ” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.
Trump himself touted funding for a wall while blasting “Dem giveaways.”
“Got $1.6 Billion to start Wall on Southern Border, rest will be forth- coming,” he tweeted Wednesday night.
“Most importantly, got $700 Billion to rebuild our Military, $716 Billion next year . . . most ever. Had to waste money on Dem giveaways in order to take care of military pay increase and new equipment.”
Trump added, “Democrats refused to take care of DACA. Would have been so easy, but they just didn’t care. I had to fight for Military and start of Wall.”
Trump ended the Obama-era DACA — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — last year. DACA protected from deportation nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants brought into the United States when they were children.
Ryan had to dash to the White House on Wednesday night amid concerns Trump’s support was wavering. “No bill of this size is perfect,” Ryan said. “But this legislation addresses important priorities and makes us stronger at home and abroad.”