FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, October 4, 2025

WHERE’S JACK: Mikie Sherrill, Elected Officials, Advocates, and Workers Slam Jack Ciattarelli For Hiding While Trump Freezes Gateway Tunnel Project

With billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs at stake, Jack stays silent

Watch Full Press Conference: Here

GLEN RIDGE — Today, Mikie Sherrill, alongside elected officials, advocates, and workers called out Jack Ciattarelli for failing to stand up for New Jersey yet again. This week, Donald Trump announced he was ripping away funding for the Gateway Tunnel Project, the country’s largest infrastructure project, that will generate $42.8 billion in economic activity in our region and create nearly 100,000 jobs for hardworking New Jerseyans. Mikie Sherrill has made it crystal clear: she will fight “tooth and nail” to get this funding back and ensure the Gateway Tunnel Project finally gets built. Mikie’s got the backs of the tens of thousands of commuters who rely on NJ TRANSIT.

Where is Jack? Silent. Why? Because he’s scared of Trump.

Jack refuses to even acknowledge the problem. When asked about the Trump administration’s move to pause the project, Jack said, “it doesn’t stop what’s going on.” Two days later, when offered the chance to explain how he’d get the funding back. Jack instead doubled down on his pledge to never sue Trump. Jack likes to boast about his relationship with the White House. Turns out it’s a one-way relationship: Jack delivering for Trump, never for New Jersey.

“When I first ran for Congress, I ran on getting the Gateway Tunnel Project funded — and we got it done. Now, Trump is trying to turn the clock back on a critical project for New Jersey, rip away tens of thousands of jobs, and steal billions of dollars from our state. Not under my watch. If there were ever a time to rise above partisan politics and help, now would be it. Instead, he’s disappeared, refusing to call out this attack on our state and call on Trump to restore the funding. While he continues to put Trump above New Jersey, I am committed to doing whatever is necessary to get this funding back,” said Mikie Sherrill.

“The Gateway Tunnel isn’t just another project — it’s about jobs, safety, and making sure families can get to work and home at the end of the day. That’s why I fought to help write, negotiate, and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, working across the aisle to secure the federal dollars Gateway needs. And it wouldn’t have happened without Mikie Sherrill who fought to fund and build Gateway. Now more than ever, we need a partner and champion in Trenton who will stand up to Trump and fight to keep Jersey moving forward,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer.

“The Gateway Tunnel Project is critical to New Jersey — that’s why we were so happy when Mikie was able to secure the funding to get it done. Now, that funding is at risk — and with it the nearly 100,000 good-paying jobs the project creates. I’d expect any self-respecting ‘Jersey guy’ to fight for our state and work as hard as possible to get that funding back. Mikie will, it’s clear Jack won’t,” said LIUNA Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager Mike Hellstrom.

“The Gateway Tunnel Project isn’t just important for commuters — our small businesses and local economy will benefit from it too. Glen Ridge is right along the NJ TRANSIT line and with that comes hundreds of commuters who depend on a reliable commute. Yet, Jack has stayed silent. Our residents’ livelihoods and the economy of the region are not part of a ‘negotiation’ strategy in the Republican shutdown of the federal government. We need this project back up and running. Mikie’s been fighting for us since her first day in Congress. That’s how I know Mikie can get it done: she’s done it once before and she’ll do it again,” said Glen Ridge Mayor Debbie Mans.

“The Gateway Tunnel Project is critical to my neighborhood. We need safe, reliable public transit to connect our community to our friends, our family, and to our jobs. Trump’s decision to freeze this funding will devastate New Jersey. That’s why I am so happy to see Mikie stand up for our state and for my community. We need a governor who won’t hesitate to take on anyone — from Trump to her own party — to protect New Jersey,” said Cranford Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty.

“The Gateway Project will make our residents’ lives and commutes so much easier. That’s why we were excited to see Mikie Sherrill fight tooth and nail to get the funding for it. This project will not just generate jobs and make our commutes easier, it will help our small businesses grow and drive economic activity into our county. Instead of focusing on the future, we are now trying to stop from sliding backwards. We need a leader in Trenton who will fight to make our lives easier and drive money into our towns — not run scared when New Jersey needs to stick up for itself, ” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.

“Too often trains are cancelled and I’m left stranded while trying to get to work or see my family — NJ TRANSIT has become unreliable and we need a governor who will put repairing it front and center. Mikie is that person. She’s the only candidate in this race I trust to get the billions of dollars Trump stole back. While she’s been fighting for New Jersey, Jack’s nowhere to be seen and has refused to call out Trump,” said Erin Scherzer.

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