From Fox News: Several prominent California Democrats are calling on the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve a grant application for $536 million in federal funds to move forward with the state’s long-awaited high-speed rail network.
The monies would come from funds already allocated in general to “federal-state partnership[s] for intercity passenger rail grants” through the 2021 “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” and made available via the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024.
Democrats urged Secretary Pete Buttigieg to approve the funds, saying progress on the “California Phase I Corridor” is “essential to enhancing our nation’s and California’s strategic transportation network investments.”
“The Phase 1 Corridor aims to address climate concerns, promote health, improve access and connectivity, and boost economic vitality, while addressing current highway and rail capacity constraints,” a letter to the outgoing Cabinet member read.
The letter to Biden was drafted by Sen.-elect Adam Schiff, Sen. Alex Padilla, and California Democratic Reps. Jim Costa, Zoe Lofgren and Pete Aguilar.
Padilla announced the scheme in a press release last Friday.
“By preparing for future final design and construction of complex tunnels in this corridor, the Project will advance both state and federal goals to improve safety, expand economic strength and global competitiveness, address equity issues, and implement sustainability practices to confront climate change,” the lawmakers claimed. “These investments will continue to support living wage jobs, provide small business opportunities, and equitably enhance the mobility of communities in need — including disadvantaged agricultural communities — all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Padilla, Schiff, California House Colleagues Push for Critical High-Speed Rail Funding – @SenAdamSchiff @SenAlexPadilla @CaHSRA @HSRail @USHSR @CAgovernor @GavinNewsom https://t.co/UaVakHA9BM
— Bijan (@BijanSartipi) December 21, 2024
California DOGE commented last week, “All the problems posed by the California “High Speed Rail” boondoggle/scam summarized in one place. Even the proponents can’t logically justify why it’s a good thing. Their top argument: We already spent $13 billion (to have nothing) so let’s waste another $100 billion+++!”
All the problems posed by the California “High Speed Rail” boondoggle/scam summarized in one place.
Even the proponents can’t logically justify why it’s a good thing.
Their top argument: We already spent $13 billion (to have nothing) so let’s waste another $100 billion+++! https://t.co/U48LUTRRG6
— California DOGE (@CA__DOGE) December 19, 2024
Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) had declared last week, “If the only thing DOGE ever does is help end California “High-Speed” Rail, it will have been an enormous success. We are spending $130 billion building a 20th century train that won’t be done until the 22nd century. This is the time to kill the project for good.”
If the only thing DOGE ever does is help end California “High-Speed” Rail, it will have been an enormous success.
We are spending $130 billion building a 20th century train that won’t be done until the 22nd century.
This is the time to kill the project for good.
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) December 16, 2024
Kiley vowed on Sunday, “A small group of CA Democrats is asking Biden to send even more money for High-Speed Rail. They want another $556 million, calling it “essential,” before Congress can pass my bill to deny further funding. If Biden complies, we will make sure that the grant is promptly revoked.”
A small group of CA Democrats is asking Biden to send even more money for High-Speed Rail. They want another $556 million, calling it “essential,” before Congress can pass my bill to deny further funding.
If Biden complies, we will make sure that the grant is promptly revoked.
— Kevin Kiley (@KevinKileyCA) December 22, 2024
California DOGE added, “It would be an act of treason for the federal government to give one more CENT of taxpayer money to the failed SCAM known as “California High Speed Rail”. @CaHSRA has been an embezzlement operation from the outset and they’re trying to loot the federal treasury as Biden leaves.”
It would be an act of treason for the federal government to give one more CENT of taxpayer money to the failed SCAM known as “California High Speed Rail”. @CaHSRA has been an embezzlement operation from the outset and they’re trying to loot the federal treasury as Biden leaves. https://t.co/SKnP4RP3uY
— California DOGE (@CA__DOGE) December 22, 2024
California Democrats urge feds to approve high-speed rail funding before DOGE nixes ‘boondoggle’ https://t.co/GCWLn4TyFd
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 24, 2024
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