Appellate court rules President Trump must turn over Gateway money
Gateway money will allow 1,000 workers to return to five construction sites in in New Jersey and New York.
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An appellate court ruled that President Donald Trump must turn over the federal money for the Gateway Tunnel Project.
The court's ruling orders the money be transferred, allowing 1,000 workers to get back to five job sites.
Last Friday, workers walked off the job because the president refused to release the money in a move widely believed to punish his political foes. However, the governors of New York and New Jersey filed a lawsuit and won, arguing the money was approved by Congress, $4 billion of which is already obligated.
In Secaucus on Friday, Gov. Mikie Sherrill was taking a victory lap of sorts with Laborers and Teamsters at her side.
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“So Congress has approved this money, it belongs to the American people. It’s not pocket money for Trump. Over $4 billion is available right now, but only if he stops these illegal actions," said Gov. Sherrill.
The governor added that this process has been costing money as well as halting the project.
“It’s cost us legal fees. It’s costing people paychecks and all for no reason," said Gov. Sherrill.
The Gateway Development Commission has said that as soon as the money comes through from the U.S. Department of Transportation, workers will be called back to five construction sites.
The GDC has filed a separate lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming a breach of contract.
Sherrill said Friday evening that the Trump administration had released $30 million of the funding.
"Trump needs to pay up and send us the $200 million we are owed," Sherrill wrote. "We’ve been fighting for this funding in court and we’re not going to until every worker is back on the job."
