Laborers at Gateway construction site rally while Trump refuses to pay for project
On Feb. 6, a federal judge approved a request by New York and New Jersey for a temporary restraining order barring the administration from withholding the funds
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With no federal funding being funneled to New Jersey from Washington, work has stopped on the Gateway rail tunnel project.
Some of the 1,000 workers who are now without work rallied Monday at the Tonnelle Avenue job site inNorth Bergen to call on the president to free the $15 billion allocated for that job.
It's money they say President Donald Trump is holding hostage to punish political rivals.
Union laborers rallying in North Bergen, got a visit from Gov. Mikie Sherrill and New York Sen. Chuck Schumer.
On Friday, a judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by Gov. Sherrill to have thefederal funding released for the project.
However, the Trump administration is refusing to send that money until they find out on Thursday if they’ll be allowed to appeal the judge’s order.
RELATED: Court blocks Trump administration’s freezing of Gateway funding
“What grounds are they appealing on? Not keeping Americans going to work. This isn’t an American first agenda this is a Trump first agenda,” said Brent Booker, president of the Laborers International Union of North America.
“If you’re a working person on this project Friday, you’re not feeling so good today because you’re out of work today,” said Union Vice President Mike Hellstrom.
Trump first blocked the money in October, wanting checks on DEI hires at job sites.
Then, hewanted Home Security money.
Most recently, it was reported Trump asked Sen. Chuck Schumer to name the new Penn Station after him to get the money free.
The money for the Gateway project was approved by Congress.
Over the last 27 months, $1 billion has been spent on the rail project at five locations in New Jersey and New York.
