Army Corps Halts $11 Billion Projects in Four Democratic Cities, Says Budget Chief

The White House Office of Management and Budget announced a significant pause on Army Corps of Engineers projects. The pause affects over $11 billion in funds directed toward infrastructure in four major Democratic cities: New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Baltimore. This decision is part of ongoing efforts amid a protracted government shutdown.

Details on the Project Halt

Russ Vought, the director of the budget office, articulated concerns regarding Democrats during the continuing budget stalemate. Vought stated that the “Democrat shutdown” has led to a critical reduction in the Army Corps’ capacity to manage these substantial funds. As a result, over $11 billion in lower-priority projects are being paused and considered for possible cancellation.

• Locations affected:
  • New York
  • San Francisco
  • Boston
  • Baltimore

Financial Overview

This is not the first time funding in Democratic-led areas has been targeted. The Trump administration has previously withheld significant resources:

• Approximately $18 billion frozen for two infrastructure projects in New York City.
• Cancellation of $8 billion intended for climate-related efforts across 16 states.
• Withholding of $2.1 billion allocated for infrastructure in Chicago.

All these examples denote focusing on states with Democratic representation in the Senate.

Impact on Federal Workforce

The shutdown has broader implications beyond funding. Vought has indicated that thousands of federal workers may face layoffs as part of the ongoing fiscal management. Notices for potential reductions in force began circulating last week, affecting more than 10,000 government employees. However, a federal judge has temporarily intervened, halting these layoffs, citing potential political motivations behind the actions.

Political Context and Stalemate

The administration’s strategy seems aimed at pressuring Democratic legislators to support a Republican-backed temporary funding bill. Despite this, Democrats have remained steadfast in their resistance. They are advocating for an extension of enhanced health care tax credits that are set to lapse soon. Additionally, they are calling for the repeal of certain Medicaid cuts enacted through previous legislation endorsed by the Trump administration.

As of now, efforts to resolve the budget impasse continue, with bipartisan negotiations still in a gridlock as a tenth Senate vote failed to achieve consensus.