Administration Pauses Billions for Chicago Transport Initiatives
The national freeze on billions allocated for the city of Chicago transit initiatives was announced on the end of the week, according to Budget Director the official.
Affected Plans
Included in the plans affected by the budget pause include the Red Line extension, which was set to break ground in 2026 and expand public transport to underprivileged neighborhoods in the city.
Moreover, improvement work on a series of rail lines were also paused.
Justification for the Pause
Vought stated on social media that the financing was “frozen to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting.”
The announcement mirrors a similar decision recently involving New York City, where the director said that significant funding for transportation would be frozen, including money for a planned rail tunnel under the Hudson.
National Stoppage Situation
This move happens as the US government shutdown enters its 72nd hour, with the Senate planned to conduct a vote later in the day.
Despite the anticipated vote in the Senate, there is scant optimism that a resolution is near, as Democrats hold out for a number of health-related agreements.
Additional Implications
Additionally, a growing amount of government departments and staff are explicitly faulting opposition leaders for the shutdown.
This political messaging by departments could be a infraction of the government ethics law, which bans government workers from participating in partisan political activity.
Suspended government workers at certain agencies have been instructed to set out-of-office messages explaining that they are not working because Democrats initiated a closure.
A progressive wing has chosen to shut down the United States government in the name of reckless spending and obstructionism,” the treasury department’s website states.
Additionally, warnings over economic damage seem not to be stimulating negotiation attempts.
A study by an economic analyst estimated that every seven-day period the shutdown lasts will mean a $7bn hit to the US economy.
