Senator Cruz and Representative Graves question the viability of the $3 billion allocation after delays and rising costs.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Representative Sam Graves of Missouri, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, have requested documents from the Department of Transportation related to President Biden’s decision to allocate billions to a high-speed rail project in California. The legislators expressed concerns that the project may never be completed and requested details by June 12 regarding the $3.07 billion funding decision made in December.
This project, approved by California voters in 2008 with an initial $10 billion budget, has experienced significant delays and cost increases, with current estimates ranging from $89 billion to $128 billion.
The senator and congressman wrote, “Despite evidence that continues to show that the California High-Speed Rail project has critical issues indicating there is no reasonable path forward for successful completion of the project … the Biden administration continues to allocate substantial federal taxpayer dollars on this highly questionable endeavor.”
Even with an independent review revealing a funding gap of $92.6 billion to $103.1 billion, the administration continues to support the project. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted the difficulties inherent in such a pioneering effort and emphasized the intense scrutiny the project faces.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Senator Cruz and Representative Graves to be prudent in their inquiries for financial documentation.
- For U.S. Transportation Department officials to comply with the legislative oversight of the project.
Sources: Reuters, Roll Call
