Federal Government Freezes Massive Funding for Windy City Transit Plans
The government freeze on billions allocated for Chicago transportation plans was revealed on the end of the week, according to OMB Director Russ Vought.
Targeted Initiatives
Among the projects targeted by the financial halt involve the public transit expansion, which was planned to start building in the coming year and expand transportation services to underserved communities in the city.
Furthermore, upgrading projects on a series of public transport routes were also frozen.
Justification for the Halt
The budget director declared on online platforms that the money was āfrozen to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting.ā
This declaration mirrors a comparable move recently involving New York, where the director said that significant funding for infrastructure would be frozen, including funding for a new subway tunnel under the Hudson River.
National Stoppage Situation
This action comes as the US government shutdown enters its 72nd hour, with the Senate set to hold a vote later in the day.
Regardless of the scheduled vote in the Senate, there is scant confidence that a deal is near, as the Democratic party hold out for a series of medical compromises.
Wider Implications
Additionally, a increasing tally of government departments and employees are clearly accusing opposition leaders for the shutdown.
This partisan communication by offices may be a violation of the Hatch Act, which bans government workers from engaging in partisan political activity.
Suspended government workers at various agencies have been instructed to set out-of-office messages indicating that they are not working because opposition lawmakers caused a closure.
A progressive wing has chosen to shut down the United States government in the name of reckless spending and obstructionism,ā a federal agency page states.
Even, advisories over economic damage seem not to be prompting compromise efforts.
An analysis by an economic analyst estimated that every week the shutdown continues will mean a $7bn impact to the US economy.