Administration Pauses Billions for Chicago Transport Plans
The national freeze on massive funding designated for the city of Chicago transit projects was revealed on the end of the week, as stated by Office of Management and Budget Director the budget director.
Affected Initiatives
Among the projects targeted by the budget pause involve the Red Line extension, which was planned to break ground next year and expand transportation services to underserved communities in the urban area.
Furthermore, modernization efforts on a number of public transport routes were also frozen.
Explanation for the Freeze
The official stated on social media that the funds was “frozen to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting.”
The statement comes after a comparable move recently involving New York, where the official announced that $18 million for public works would be paused, including money for a planned train tunnel under the Hudson River.
Government Shutdown Situation
This move comes as the US government shutdown continues into its third day, with the Senate set to hold a vote later in the day.
Regardless of the planned legislative action, there is scant confidence that a agreement is close, as opposition lawmakers demand a number of medical compromises.
Additional Effects
Additionally, a rising amount of national offices and staff are directly blaming Democrats for the shutdown.
This partisan communication by agencies could be a breach of the government ethics law, which forbids government workers from conducting political campaigning.
Laid-off government workers at various agencies have been instructed to set email responses explaining that they are not working because opposition lawmakers triggered a stoppage.
A radical left has chosen to shut down the United States government in the name of reckless spending and obstructionism,” an official government site declares.
Additionally, alerts over economic impact don’t appear to be prompting conciliatory moves.
A study by a consulting firm indicated that every week the shutdown continues will mean a $7 billion hit to the US economy.
