White House Halts $2.1 Billion for Chicago Infrastructure Initiatives
The government freeze on massive funding earmarked for Chicago transportation plans was announced on the weekend, according to Budget Director the official.
Impacted Projects
Among the plans targeted by the budget pause include the extension of the Red Line, which was scheduled to break ground in the coming year and improve mass transit to less served communities in the metropolis.
Moreover, upgrading work on a number of rail lines were also put on hold.
Explanation for the Freeze
Vought stated on online platforms that the financing was “put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting.”
This statement comes after a similar action earlier this week involving New York City, where the director stated that millions for transportation would be frozen, including money for a new subway tunnel under the river.
Federal Stoppage Situation
The action occurs as the national stoppage enters its 72nd hour, with the US Senate planned to hold a vote later in the day.
Regardless of the scheduled Senate vote, there is minimal hope that a deal is imminent, as the Democratic party insist on a number of medical concessions.
Broader Implications
Additionally, a increasing amount of federal agencies and personnel are explicitly accusing Democrats for the stoppage.
The political messaging by agencies may be a breach of the federal law, which forbids federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity.
Furloughed federal employees at some agencies have been told to set email responses indicating that they are not working because Democrats caused a stoppage.
“The far left has chosen to shut down the United States government in the name of reckless spending and obstructionism,” a federal agency page reads.
Even, alerts over financial harm are not encouraging negotiation attempts.
A report by an economic analyst estimated that every seven-day period the stoppage lasts will mean a $7bn impact to the economy.
