Gillibrand responds to Gateway Development Commission lawsuit challenging Trump administration over delayed Hudson Tunnel funding

New York – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is weighing in forcefully after the Gateway Development Commission filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to release federal funding already committed to the Hudson Tunnel Gateway Project. The legal action comes amid growing concern that delays in funding approvals could jeopardize one of the nation’s most critical transportation infrastructure efforts.

The Hudson Tunnel Gateway Project, a $16 billion investment, is designed to build a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River connecting New Jersey and New York City. The tunnel serves as a vital link for the regional and national economy, supporting daily travel for more than 200,000 passengers. According to project estimates, the effort is expected to generate roughly 95,000 direct and indirect jobs over its lifespan, while strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains.

However, the future of the project now faces uncertainty. If additional federal funding is not released by February 6, 2026, construction would be forced to pause. Such a halt would result in the immediate loss of approximately 1,000 jobs, with ripple effects across New York, New Jersey, and the broader Northeast region.

Gillibrand, who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, has repeatedly pressed the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete required reviews and allow reimbursements to proceed. She has said that on multiple occasions, the department committed to expedited reviews to prevent delays in funding.

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In a sharply worded statement, Gillibrand criticized the administration’s handling of the project and voiced support for the Gateway Development Commission’s decision to seek relief through the courts.

“New Yorkers will not tolerate the Trump administration playing political games with our workers or our economy. Once again, we are forced to rely on the courts to protect our state from the unlawful actions of this administration.

The Hudson Tunnel Gateway Project is already supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, generating billions of dollars in regional economic activity, and sustaining domestic suppliers and manufacturers. Further political targeting to justify withholding federal funding is inexcusable. These actions put union workers and families across New York and New Jersey at risk and threaten the most critical infrastructure project in the nation.

As ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, I secured clear commitments from Transportation Secretary Duffy that he would not cancel grants for major transit capital investment projects, including Gateway. It’s time to make good on that commitment. I am going to fight to ensure that New Yorkers not be treated as political pawns in this administration’s twisted game of chess.”

Supporters of the Hudson Tunnel Gateway Project argue that the existing rail tunnels, which are more than a century old, are increasingly vulnerable to disruptions and failures. Any prolonged interruption in service could have severe consequences for commuters, businesses, and the regional economy.

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The lawsuit filed by the Gateway Development Commission seeks a judgment that would compel the release of funding the commission says is contractually obligated. Project leaders argue that the funding delays are not tied to technical or regulatory issues, but rather to political interference.

Gillibrand’s statement underscores the broader stakes of the dispute, framing the funding delay as not only a legal issue but also a threat to jobs, economic stability, and critical infrastructure. As the case moves forward, its outcome could determine whether construction continues uninterrupted or faces a costly and disruptive pause, with long-term consequences for the region’s transportation network.