Floor SpeechUrgent2026-02-03

UNFREEZE FUNDS FOR GATEWAY TUNNEL

HousingLabor

Context

On 2026-02-03, Representative George Latimer (D-NY-16) delivered a floor speech titled "UNFREEZE FUNDS FOR GATEWAY TUNNEL" in the House. The speech addressed housing and also covered labor policy.

Full Text

UNFREEZE FUNDS FOR GATEWAY TUNNEL

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)] [House] [Page H1969] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] UNFREEZE FUNDS FOR GATEWAY TUNNEL (Mr. LATIMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, during the government shutdown last fall, OMB Director Russell Vought announced that the Trump administration would be pausing billions of dollars in funding for the Hudson River Gateway Tunnel project. This critical project creates a much-needed passenger rail tunnel under the Hudson River, supplementing existing tunnels that were built over 100 years ago, and will deliver thousands of commuters in and out of New York every day in the busiest Amtrak corridor in the United States. For several months, the White House has held these funds captive over misleading claims that the project's contracting policies violate administration policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Last week, the Gateway Development Commission announced that construction will have to cease if President Trump does not swiftly restore the project's funding. If construction is delayed, thousands of union construction workers will lose their jobs, and timely completion of this project will be in jeopardy. Mr. Speaker, I implore the President to end this vindictive quest to hurt people in the Northeast and immediately unfreeze project funds to allow for the construction to resume. ____________________

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UNFREEZE FUNDS FOR GATEWAY TUNNEL Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)] [House] [Page H1969] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] UNFREEZE FUNDS FOR GATEWAY TUNNEL (Mr. LATIMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, during the government shutdown last fall, OMB Director Russell Vought announced that the Trump administration would be pausing billions of dollars in funding for the Hudson River Gateway Tunnel project. This critical project creates a much-needed passenger rail tunnel under the Hudson River, supplementing existing tunnels that were built over 100 years ago, and will deliver thousands of commuters in and out of New York every day in the busiest Amtrak corridor in the United States. For several months, the White House has held these funds captive over misleading claims that the project's contracting policies violate administration policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Last week, the Gateway Development Commission announced that construction will have to cease if President Trump does not swiftly restore the project's funding. If construction is delayed, thousands of union construction workers will lose their jobs, and timely completion of this project will be in jeopardy. Mr. Speaker, I implore the President to end this vindictive quest to hurt people in the Northeast and immediately unfreeze project funds to allow for the construction to resume. ____________________