1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to release the more than $16 billion in federal funding for the Gateway infrastructure project connecting New York and New Jersey. This critical rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River should not be held hostage to demands that public infrastructure be renamed after any individual, including President Trump. The Gateway Tunnel Commission has warned that without the release of federal funds, work on the project will shut down and approximately 1,000 workers will be laid off. This is not just about construction jobs. The Gateway project is essential infrastructure that will benefit millions of commuters and strengthen the economic vitality of the entire region for decades to come. Federal funding for this project was committed before Trump returned to office, and the recent suspension appears to be politically motivated rather than based on legitimate policy concerns. New York and New Jersey have already filed a lawsuit alleging the funding freeze is unlawful, but legal battles take time that workers and commuters do not have. Our nation's infrastructure should serve the public interest, not function as leverage for personal branding opportunities. The United States of America is not a private enterprise to be branded with any president's name. Penn Station and Dulles International Airport are public assets that belong to all Americans, and critical infrastructure funding should never be contingent on renaming public facilities after political figures. I ask that you publicly oppose any conditions linking Gateway funding to naming rights and work with your colleagues to ensure these federal dollars are released immediately. The workers facing layoffs and the millions who depend on this infrastructure deserve better than to be caught in the middle of a branding dispute.