Senators from New Jersey and New York accused the Trump administration of stalling Amtrak’s Gateway project linking their states as revenge for Democratic opposition to a Mexico border wall. One said a deputy transportation secretary lied about the project, and that could hurt his nomination to serve in the Justice Department. 

... 

“The money is there, we’re just awaiting a signature, plain and simple,” Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said at a news conference outside the Capitol with Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, both New Jersey Democrats. “The only thing holding that back is pique, anger, revenge, whatever you want to call it, a bad emotion that the president seems to have which will hurt New York, New Jersey and the whole economy.”

 

The senators said they would add language to this year’s appropriation for the Department of Transportation ensuring that states that start projects before a federal commitment is made will be reimbursed when federal dollars become available.

 

“Both the New York and New Jersey governors support this language and say they would be willing to be forthcoming in putting the additional money in to get us going until we have a new president. Hopefully that will be soon enough,” Schumer said.

 

Menendez said the two states and the a bistate authority have pledged more money than other states whose projects got higher ratings for funding eligibility from the Federal Transit Administration. He said Rosen has a bias against mass transit.

 

“I don't know how this guy's going to be the deputy attorney general with lies like that,” Menendez said at a news conference outside the Capitol with Schumer and Booker. “I can't wait for his appearance before the Judiciary Committee so he can be asked questions by Sen. Booker.” 

...