Sherrill Fights Back Against House Republicans’ Attempts to Eliminate Gateway Tunnel Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill helped beat back Republican attempts to slash federal funding for New Jersey’s infrastructure, the Gateway Tunnel Project, and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. House Republicans eventually pulled their Transportation Appropriations bill from the House floor not long after Rep. Sherrill spoke about the need to protect federal investments in the Gateway Tunnel.
Her efforts came shortly after last week’s historic announcement of additional federal funding to expedite the construction of the Gateway Tunnel while reducing New Jersey’s funding share of the project. The Gateway Tunnel Project will bring New Jersey’s infrastructure into the 21st century, bolster the economic competitiveness of the Northeast region, and improve the quality of life of New Jersey families.
Rep. Sherrill is a leading advocate for the Gateway Tunnel Project, fighting for the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and public transportation support in the yearly appropriations bills.
Watch the Congresswoman’s speech here. Below are her remarks, as given:
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Yesterday, President Biden announced significant new funding for passenger rail projects across New Jersey and the Northeast region — first and foremost for the Gateway Program that is the nation’s most critical infrastructure project.
It’s a critical win for New Jersey families and comes as a result of funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to get these important projects completed.
By making this investment in Gateway, we will prevent a shutdown of the Hudson River Tunnel that could cost the US economy $16 billion over 4 years and reduce property values by $22 billion in New Jersey alone.
In fact, every dollar we invest in Gateway will create almost four dollars of benefits for the residents of our region — whether through lower travel costs, faster travel times, improved safety, or reduced highway congestion.
Unfortunately, the Republican majority’s appropriations bill is a severe threat to the bipartisan work we’ve done to revitalize America’s infrastructure, especially for passenger rail.
The bill guts the main funding source for rail projects - the Capital Investment Grants program - by 85%, and cuts Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor funding by 92%. Not only that, but Republican amendments now propose cutting all Capital Investment Grants and Amtrak National Network funding.
These provisions are unacceptable and completely out of touch with the needs of the American people. They put all of our work on Gateway at risk, and could eliminate over $19 billion in economic activity for New Jerseyans and cost tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.
House Republicans’ extreme agenda will make it harder for families to get to work or to their kids’ soccer games, will increase their travel costs, and will worsen pollution and congestion in New Jersey.
Last Congress, I was so proud to work across the aisle to enact historic legislation to enact historic legislation to revitalize rail in the Northeast region and more broadly, to invest in New Jersey’s infrastructure.
Today, I urge my colleagues to not forsake all of that work and to instead reach across the aisle and finish Gateway, strengthen Amtrak and the Northeast Corridor, and improve travel access and reliability for all of our constituents.
Thank you and I yield back.
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