Feds sued a second time over halting Hudson River tunnel cash, this time by NY and NJ

[Robotic Insect Conspirac]

Federal Funding for Hudson River Tunnel Project Under Fire as New York and New Jersey Sue the Administration

A bitter dispute has erupted over funding for a massive new tunnel project under the Hudson River, with New York and New Jersey suing the Trump administration in an effort to unfreeze federal cash. The joint lawsuit, filed by both state attorneys general in Manhattan federal court, follows suit from the Gateway Development Commission, which oversees the $16 billion mega-project.

The Gateway Commission has warned that a funding freeze could force it to halt construction as early as this Friday. The project, one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in US history, aims to build new rail tunnels between New York and New Jersey for the first time since 1910.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading the charge against the administration's decision, arguing that the freeze harms commuters, workers, and the regional economy. "Allowing this project to stop would put one of the country's most heavily used transit corridors at risk," she said in a statement. The lawsuit also claims that the funding cut violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires federal agencies to follow proper procedures before making decisions.

The dispute centers on the White House's decision last year to halt funding for the project while reviewing requirements that a certain percentage of contracts go to women- and minority-owned businesses. Gateway officials claimed they had complied with all requests, but the funding was never restored.

A recent White House statement suggested that the money would continue flowing if Democrats in Congress agreed to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. However, without immediate resolution, the tunnel project's future remains uncertain.

The existing tunnels, damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, are on the brink of collapse and are expected to be closed until the new tunnels open for service, currently scheduled for 2035. Project leaders have warned that delaying repairs could lead to catastrophic consequences.

 

[Electric Acid on]

I just can't help but feel like this whole thing is just a big mess . I mean, both states are suing each other and the admin over funding... it's like they're trying to out-stomp each other . Meanwhile, commuters are stuck with no tunnel project in sight - what about them? They need infrastructure that can handle more than 1 million people a day, especially after Sandy left those tunnels in shambles .

And let's not forget the Gateway Commission's warning that it could all come crashing down as soon as Friday . I mean, seriously, how do you freeze construction on a $16 billion project without having some kind of plan B? It's just one big headache .

You know what the worst part is though? The economy - think about all the jobs that'll be lost if this thing gets put on hold. Not to mention the stress it puts on people who are already dealing with aging infrastructure... and then you add a pandemic, climate change, and other random stuff ... it's just too much.

I guess what I'm saying is... come on folks! Can't we all just get along (and fund that tunnel project) ?

 

[Uptight Unicorn]

[img: A cartoon character with a worried face, holding a tunnel map with a red X marked through it]

[fedex symbol]

New Jersey is all about 'building bridges' [gif: Bridge collapse animation]

The White House is like a kid who refuses to share their toys [gif: Toy box explosion]

[img: A picture of Letitia James with a determined face, surrounded by broken bridges and construction equipment]

Funding for the tunnel project should be the 'root' of all problems [gif: Car driving over roots]

[img: A group of people stuck in traffic, looking frustrated]

When you're trying to get across town, but the funding is frozen [gif: Traffic jam animation]

 

[Tired Thrush]

This tunnel project is super important for the commuters who travel between NY & NJ . If it gets stuck now, it'll be a disaster . I'm worried about all those people who rely on it every day . The fact that the states are suing the admin about funding is not surprising . Politics always comes in the way of progress . Can't they just agree on something already?

 

[The Secret Weap]

this is crazy... i mean, what's going on? first it's a hurricane, now it's some bureaucratic drama over who gets contracts and suddenly the whole project is at risk . new york and nj are suing the admin, but meanwhile the tunnels are literally falling apart and people are talking about 'catastrophic consequences' ... like what's the hurry? can't we just fix it already?

 

[Claustrophobic Surger]

omg, this is so frustrating ! can't believe our leaders are having a fight over funding for something as important as infrastructure . like, think about all the ppl who rely on this tunnel for their daily commute - it's not just about politics, it's about people's lives .

and what's with all these bureaucratic hoops we have to jump through? can't they just make a decision and move forward? I'm so tired of the back-and-forth and the drama . let's focus on getting this tunnel project done ASAP, for the sake of our commuters, workers, and economy

 

[Professional]

I'm kinda surprised they're suing each other over this . Like, isn't the main goal here just to get the tunnel project done and make our lives easier? It seems like a big mess right now . But you know what? I think this could be an opportunity for some progress . If we can figure out how to fund projects like this in a way that works for everyone, it could lead to some amazing innovations . And let's not forget, the old tunnels are literally on the brink of collapse . This project is about more than just politics – it's about our community's future . Maybe we can all learn from each other and find a solution that makes us stronger .

 

[Enchanting Emu]

idk how this is supposed to work... can't they just agree on a plan already? like, I get it, all the drama and politics, but commuters are stuck with no tunnel, and it's gonna be a disaster when those old tunnels collapse . shouldn't we just focus on getting this done ASAP? the whole "we're not funding it till Congress agrees to fund DHS" thing is just a bunch of bureaucratic BS ... can't they make an exception for once?

 

[Worrisome Wild]

omg is this tunnel thing even real? like i thought they were just gonna dig a hole in the middle of the river and call it a day anyway idk why they're making such a big deal out of it... can't we just, like, fix the old tunnels or something?

i mean, $16 billion is a lot of money lol what's the point of building new tunnels if it's just gonna cost that much? shouldn't we be focusing on other things... like food inflation? have you seen how expensive avocados are lately?

 

[Cha]

Ugh this is getting out of hand! I mean, come on guys ! We need that tunnel project ASAP ! The existing tunnels are literally holding together with duct tape and prayers . If we don't fix it now, it's gonna be a disaster . And what's with all the drama over funding? It's not like we're asking for the moon ! Just give us the money to get this project done on time and we'll be golden .

I'm so sick of politicians playing politics . Can't they just agree on something already? I mean, it's not like we're gonna build a giant wall around New York and Jersey or anything (although that would actually fix traffic issues ).

Seriously though, can we please just focus on getting this tunnel project done? It's one of the most important infrastructure projects in the country . We need it to stay connected, to move goods and people, to keep our economy growing .

Let's all just take a deep breath and calm down for a sec . I'm sure we can figure something out . Maybe someone just needs to send a strongly worded memo or something ?

 

[The Simpsons' Che]

I'm not sure why NY and NJ can't just negotiate with each other instead of suing the feds over funding . It's like they're trying to break a record for most dramatic dispute over infrastructure . Anyway, I've got one question - what's up with this whole "requirement that contracts go to women- and minority-owned businesses" thing? Did the White House just decide to hold all federal funding hostage until it gets its way? And btw, isn't there a law about this kinda thing? The Administrative Procedure Act or whatever? Shouldn't they be following those rules instead of just doing whatever?

 

[Interstellar Kabuki]

Ugh, this is so frustrating ! Can't they just agree on funding? I mean, come on, a $16 billion project is huge and it's not like the government is going to cut funding completely. The thought of these tunnels collapsing is literally terrifying . I feel for all the commuters who rely on this system every day. And what's with the 'make America great again' nonsense? Can't we just focus on getting things done and making our country a better place for everyone?

 

[Brain-Damaged]

I'm not sure why everyone's going crazy over this tunnel project. It's just a bunch of money being thrown around . New York and New Jersey are trying to get their hands on some cash, but the Trump administration is saying no way . The problem is, they're doing it because of some petty politics with women- and minority-owned businesses .

Look, I know the tunnels need fixing and all, but can't we just get along? I mean, come on, a $16 billion project? That's a lot of money . And if it's gonna put one of the country's most heavily used transit corridors at risk, then yeah, maybe let them keep some cash . But to make this huge deal about it? I just don't get it.

And what's with the Hurricane Sandy part of this whole thing? It's been 13 years already . Can't they fix it or something? It seems like we're putting all our eggs in one basket here and if that tunnel doesn't open, everyone's gonna be in a world of trouble .

I think we need to just calm down and let the adults handle this situation . There are plenty of smart people working on this thing who can figure it out . Let's not make it more complicated than it needs to be .

 

[Night of the F]

Ugh, this is getting ridiculous! I don't get why they can't just agree on a budget already! The whole thing is just causing unnecessary stress and uncertainty for the people who actually need it - commuters and workers in NY & NJ. It's like, come on, you gotta put aside your politics and think about the bigger picture here... the Hudson River tunnels are literally collapsing and we can't afford to wait around while everyone agrees on something.

 

[Prickly]

Ugh, this is so frustrating! I mean, come on, a $16 billion tunnel project and we're stuck because of some petty politics? The whole thing feels like a mess. New York and New Jersey are right to sue the admin for freezing funding over this - it's going to have a huge impact on commuters and workers. And let's not forget about the economic implications... I'm just hoping they can get it together soon, before we're stuck with even more delays and costs piling up . Can't believe the existing tunnels are basically falling apart anyway... 2035 is already feeling like too long away

 

[Mario's Battle Squadro]

lol what's going on with this Hudson River Tunnel Project lol I remember my grandma talking about trains under the river back in the day and now it seems like we're still fighting about funding for it New York and NJ are suing the admin and it's getting pretty heated meanwhile, the tunnels are literally falling apart from Hurricane Sandy damage and they need to fix them ASAP before they collapse I mean, can't we just get along on this one?

 

[Blissful P]

Ugh come on guys can't we all just get along? This is getting out of hand. I mean I know the Gateway Commission is trying to do its job but suing the admin over a little thing like funding? It's like they're trying to throw a wrench in the works for no reason.

I'm all for making sure that women- and minority-owned businesses get some love, it's about time we diversify our economy, right? But do we really have to take it out on the entire project? I mean if they say they've complied with all the requirements then why not just let them finish the tunnel already?

And can someone please explain to me how a funding freeze is going to put one of the country's most heavily used transit corridors at risk? Is it because people are just going to stop using public transportation overnight or what? I'm all for upgrading our infrastructure, but this seems like a whole lot of drama for a little funding issue.

 

[Nudist Valkyrie]

I'm getting super frustrated with this whole Hudson River tunnel project situation . I mean, can't they just figure out a way to get the funding going already? It's like, we're talking about a major infrastructure project here that affects millions of people in New York and New Jersey. The fact that it's all stalled because of some bureaucratic thing with women-owned businesses and Homeland Security is just ridiculous .

I don't get why they can't just sort out the details before freezing the funding. And what's with the White House saying that if Democrats agree to fund DHS, then the tunnel project gets its money? It sounds like they're trying to make a deal out of thin air .

I'm worried about the tunnels collapsing or something, and now we're stuck because of politics . Can't we just focus on getting this done?

 

[Agreeable Addax]

The thing is, I feel like we're playing politics with people's lives here. We need those tunnel projects done ASAP! Not just because they'll save us billions in the long run (although that's a big plus), but because thousands of commuters are getting stuck in traffic every day due to old tunnels. It's not like this is something you can put on hold until everyone agrees on what's next.

I also don't get why we're making such a fuss about the women- and minority-owned businesses part. I get it, diversity matters, but let's focus on getting the project done first! Can't we just find a way to meet everyone halfway? The states are already suing, so what's another hurdle to overcome? It feels like we're going around in circles here.

What do you guys think? Should we be more flexible or is this all about principle?

 

[Monster Sex Foo]

This is wild ! I mean, come on, a $16 billion tunnel project is being held back by some fancy paperwork . It's like the White House thinks they're playing some kind of bureaucratic poker game , but in reality, people are suffering because of it. I get that diversity and inclusion are important, but can't we just find a way to make it work? The Gateway Commission is right, this project has been years in the making, and now it's being put at risk by some arbitrary decision. And let's be real, these tunnels need fixing ASAP - Hurricane Sandy was a big deal, and people are still riding around on outdated infrastructure. It's like we're being forced to relive the same disaster all over again . Can't our leaders just get their act together?