Administration Freezes Billions for Chicago Transport Projects
The government pause on billions earmarked for the city of Chicago transportation initiatives was announced on Friday, according to OMB Director Russ Vought.
Impacted Projects
Among the initiatives targeted by the funding freeze include the extension of the Red Line, which was planned to begin construction in the coming year and improve mass transit to underprivileged areas in the metropolis.
Additionally, improvement work on a series of public transport routes were also paused.
Justification for the Halt
Vought declared on online platforms that the funds was “put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting.”
The announcement comes after a comparable action earlier this week involving New York, where Vought stated that millions for infrastructure would be paused, including funding for a new subway tunnel under the river.
Government Shutdown Situation
This decision happens as the US government shutdown continues into its third day, with the Senate scheduled to hold a vote later in the day.
Regardless of the anticipated Senate vote, there is scant confidence that a resolution is imminent, as opposition lawmakers demand a number of medical concessions.
Wider Effects
At the same time, a increasing tally of federal agencies and employees are clearly faulting Democrats for the shutdown.
This partisan communication by departments is potentially a violation of the government ethics law, which prohibits government workers from conducting electioneering.
Laid-off public servants at certain agencies have been directed to set out-of-office messages explaining that they are not working because opposition lawmakers triggered a shutdown.
“The radical left has chosen to shut down the United States government in the name of reckless spending and obstructionism,” the treasury department’s website reads.
Additionally, warnings over economic impact seem not to be prompting compromise efforts.
A study by an economic analyst estimated that every seven-day period the stoppage lasts will mean a $7bn hit to the economy.
