What’s New
A high-speed rail project in California previously condemned by President-elect Donald Trump has asked the federal government for over half a billion dollars to continue construction.
California lawmakers urged Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to approve the extra funding so that tunneling could continue on the Central Valley project, which would become the most traveled intercity passenger service in the U.S. if completed.
Newsweek contacted the office of Buttigieg, the Trump transition team, and California representative Jim Costa for comment on this story via email.
Why It Matters
Donald Trump has previously ridiculed the high-speed rail project, describing it as a “waste” and a “green disaster” during his first administration. When the project’s completion date was delayed to 2022, Trump called on California to return $3.5 billion in federal spending, which was rejected by Governor Gavin Newsom.
With Trump set to return to the White House in 2025, time is running out for Democrats to secure more funding while a more sympathetic administration is still in power. President Joe Biden has provided several large grants to projects like this throughout his term, which is now drawing to a close.
What to Know
Five California representatives in Congress, including Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, made a statement on Friday, asking Buttigieg to approve $536 million in federal funds for tunneling work on the rail project.
The high-speed rail system was first envisioned in 2008, when voters approved construction in a ballot initiative. Since then, California has spent over $5 billion on the project, which aims to connect San Francisco to Los Angeles, along with the smaller cities Merced and Bakersfield, via the Central Valley.
Trump was critical of the project during his first term as president, and sparred with Newsom over social media on how the project should be handled. The original costs for the project put it at $40 billion, but revaluations hit highs of $118 billion, with significant delays in construction despite deadline extensions to 2022.
What People Are Saying
In a statement to Buttigieg, a coalition of California lawmakers said: “By preparing for future final design and construction of complex tunnels in this corridor, the Project will advance both state and federal goals to improve safety, expand economic strength and global competitiveness, address equity issues, and implement sustainability practices to confront climate change.
“These investments will continue to support living wage jobs, provide small business opportunities, and equitably enhance the mobility of communities in need — including disadvantaged agricultural communities — all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Donald Trump previously said on social media: “California has been forced to cancel the massive bullet train project after having spent and wasted many billions of dollars. They owe the Federal Government three and a half billion dollars.”
What Happens Next
Time is running out for Democrats to secure the funding. Trump’s administration will return to the White House in January, with Buttigieg being replaced by former Congressman Sean Duffy, provided he is approved by the Senate.
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