The Trump administration reportedly offered to release $16 billion in federal funding for the Gateway Program, a critical infrastructure project connecting New Jersey and New York, in exchange for renaming two major transportation hubs after President Donald Trump. According to multiple sources, the administration proposed naming Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport and New York’s Penn Station in Trump’s honor.
A Stalled Project and a Controversial Offer
The Gateway project, which includes the construction of a new railway tunnel under the Hudson River, has faced years of delays. Funding was halted at the start of a federal government shutdown last fall, and despite the shutdown’s end and the passage of appropriations packages, the administration has yet to release the allocated funds. The project is now facing a Friday deadline, after which construction could be forced to halt, potentially laying off thousands of workers.
The states of New York and New Jersey have filed a lawsuit seeking to compel the administration to release the already-appropriated funds. A source close to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that “there is nothing to trade,” and that the president could release the funds “with a snap of his fingers.”
A Pattern of Branding
This offer is not an isolated incident. The Trump administration has previously sought to attach the president’s name to various landmarks and initiatives, including the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Kennedy Center, as well as proposing the “Trump Gold Cards” for expedited residency and citizenship. A bill to rename Dulles Airport after Trump has been stalled in Congress since February of last year.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., criticized the proposal, stating that “these naming rights aren’t tradable” and accusing the president of prioritizing “his own narcissism” over the economic benefits and jobs the Gateway tunnel would provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gateway Program?
The Gateway Program is a $16.1 billion project to build a new railway tunnel under the Hudson River, connecting New Jersey and New York.
Why is the funding for the Gateway Program stalled?
The Trump administration halted funding for the project at the start of a government shutdown last fall and has yet to release the funds despite the shutdown’s end.
What did the Trump administration request in exchange for releasing the funds?
The administration asked for Dulles International Airport and Penn Station to be renamed after President Donald Trump.
As the Friday deadline approaches, the future of the Gateway project remains uncertain. It remains to be seen whether a compromise can be reached, or if the project will face further delays and potential workforce reductions.
