President Donald Trump’s government suspended $2.1 billion in Chicago transit funding on Friday as the government shutdown entered its third day. Budget director Russ Vought announced the money for elevated train lines had been suspended to make sure it was not being passed through race-based contracting. The government has now suspended at least 28 billion dollars in funding for Democratic cities and states. Trump has also threatened to terminate additional federal employees beyond the 300,000 he is dismissing this year, and a White House official told Breitbart News that dozens of agencies have received directions from the administration to submit workforce reduction plans.
Illinois Governor Declares It Hostage Taking
Chicago is the third-largest city in the country, and Trump has made it a frequent target in his rhetoric, even threatening to deploy National Guard troops. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, one of President Trump’s top public critics and a prospective 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, called the freeze a case of hostage taking. On social media, he stated that the action is trying to make a political point but is instead harming the economy and working families who need public transportation. The Illinois funding freeze follows moves on Wednesday to halt transit projects in
New York and green-energy projects in Democratic-leaning states like California and Colorado.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said he is not troubled by Trump’s pressure campaign, which undercuts Congress’s constitutional authority over spending matters. Johnson told reporters that President Trump is just as anxious as everyone else to get the government back open. He stated that Trump is attempting to put pressure to make this happen, and he commends it. In another step, the Trump administration backed away from a plan to eliminate 187 million in security grants for New York after Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul complained.
Shutdown Shows No Signs of Ending Soon
The Washington shutdown impasse shows no indication of ending soon. The Senate will vote Friday on rival Democratic and Republican proposals to bring an end to the shutdown, but neither is expected to pass. If the shutdown lasts into a fourth day on Saturday, it will rank as the fifth-longest in US history. Democrats and Republicans have spent the last few days accusing each other of not keeping the government funded past October 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.
The standoff has put on ice approximately 1.7 trillion dollars in funds for agency activities, equivalent to about one-quarter of yearly federal expenses. Democrats contend that any spending bill must include an expansion of pandemic-era healthcare subsidies set to expire at the end of December, while Republicans contend that this should be addressed separately. The shutdown has halted scientific research, financial regulation and numerous other pursuits. Pay has been halted for about 2 million federal employees, although troops, airport security screeners and others classified as essential are required to report to work without being paid.
News At Glance
- Trump administration puts $2.1 billion in Chicago transit money on ice during shutdown
- At least 28 billion dollars in Democratic city and state funding is now on ice
- Illinois Governor Pritzker deems the funding freeze as political hostage taking
- Government shutdown hits day three with no indication of swift resolution
- Senate to vote Friday on rival plans, but neither is likely to pass
FAQs
- How much Chicago transit money did Trump freeze?
The Trump administration suspended $2.1 billion allocated to Chicago’s elevated train lines.
- How long has the government shutdown been?
The shutdown was in its third day on Friday and will extend to become the fifth-longest if it occurs again on Saturday.
- Why can’t Democrats and Republicans agree?
Democrats desire healthcare subsidies to be continued, while the Republicans’ contention is that the problem should be addressed separately from financing.
- How many federal employees are impacted by the shutdown?
Approximately 2 million federal employees have seen their salaries withheld, although critical workers are still required to work.
- What else lost money in Democratic strongholds?
Green energy projects in California and Colorado, and New York transit initiatives were also halted.
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