Trump administration suspends $18 billion in infrastructure for New York due to government shutdown

Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought reported that the federal government will suspend $18 billion in infrastructure projects in New York City due to the government shutdown.

"Roughly $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects have been put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing based on unconstitutional DEI principles," Vought wrote in a brief statement on X.

He detailed that the administration would suspend the Hudson Tunnel Project, as well as the Second Avenue Subway.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation explained that it issued an interim final rule (IFR) banning race- and sex-based hiring requirements in federal grants. But, the department is not moving forward with the review due to the government shutdown.

"Thanks to the Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jefferies shutdown, however, USDOT’s review of New York’s unconstitutional practices will take more time. Without a budget, the Department has been forced to furlough the civil rights staff responsible for conducting this review," the Department of Transportation detailed in a statement.

Congress failed to avert a government shutdown. After weeks of uncertainty over the possibility, the Sept. 30 deadline was reached without a deal being finalized between the White House and Democrats. This is the 15th government shutdown in U.S. history and the first since January 2019, when Donald Trump was also president.