Rep. Malinowski Applauds Removal of Trump-era Policy Making it Harder to Advance Gateway Project

(Somerville, NJ) Today, the Biden Administration announced it rescinded a Trump-era policy that made it harder for states to finance their portion of much-needed transit infrastructure projects, such as the construction of new Hudson River Tunnels. The rescinded guidance, which the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) first announced in June 2018, stated that federal loans would count as part of the federal share of Capital Investment Grant projects—a misguided policy that stood in the way of further advancing the tunnel portion of the Gateway project.

“The very first bill I introduced as a member of Congress sought to remove this unfair and unnecessary financing barrier to the Gateway project,” said Representative Malinowski. “I commend Secretary Buttigieg and FTA leadership for heeding my call, and look forward to continuing to work closely with the Biden Administration to get the Hudson River tunnel done.”

Representative Malinowski’s first bill in Congress, the Transportation Funding Fairness Act, allows New Jersey and other states to count federal loans as part of their share of jointly funded transportation projects. Through oversight and appropriations, Representative Malinowski has helped to lead the multi-year effort calling on FTA to enact this policy change.