Schumer Rejects Trump’s Funding Proposal for Gateway Tunnel

Last month, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) turned down President Trump’s offer to release $16 billion in federal funds for the Gateway Tunnel project. The catch? Trump wanted to rename New York’s Penn Station and Washington’s Dulles International Airport in his honor.

Schumer reportedly informed the president that he couldn’t entertain such an unusual request. The Trump administration brought this up during ongoing negotiations to free up funds designated for a critical rail project linking New York and New Jersey, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

On January 15, Schumer met with Trump at the White House to talk about the Gateway Tunnel project. It’s unclear if any other suggestions were exchanged during that conversation.

During the meeting, Schumer emphasized the urgent need to quickly release the funding set aside for the Gateway Project, which his office described as vital for the economy of New York and the broader Northeast, employing thousands of workers.

Back in October, President Trump had frozen a total of $18 billion in funding for the Gateway Tunnel and New York’s Second Avenue subway projects on the very first day of a government shutdown led by Schumer that lasted for 43 days. New York, New Jersey, and the Gateway Development Commission are currently suing the Trump administration, claiming the freeze is illegal and breaches contract terms.

Federal funding for the project was approved in 2021, and construction kicked off in 2023, with completion slated for 2035.

Reports indicate that funding sources for ongoing tunnel work will run out soon, which could completely halt construction.

“It’s critical to our communities, it’s critical to jobs, it’s critical to our economy. That’s why we’re fighting,” stated New Jersey Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill. “Let me be clear: this is a political decision by the president to cancel money that is already in the pot and ready to go.”

The proposal to rename Penn Station after Trump first emerged last April, when the Department of Transportation assumed oversight of its renovation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul mentioned she might be amenable to the idea once the project is completed.

Additionally, House Republicans have pushed legislation to rename Washington Dulles International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport.

The newspaper has reached out to both the White House and Schumer’s office for comments.