• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy House Republicans’ spending bill could derail over train concerns
Economy

House Republicans’ spending bill could derail over train concerns

by November 3, 2023
by November 3, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is facing his first big GOP spending showdown as leader of the House of Representatives.

Republican lawmakers and aides told Fox News Digital that the bill laying out funding for Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) could land with a ‘thud’ on the House floor if it’s not pulled from the schedule or altered.

Among the main issues that kept resurfacing were cuts that both Northeastern and Midwestern Republicans said would severely hinder U.S. train and railway operations. 

‘Yeah, it is,’ Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said bluntly when asked whether the spending bill was in trouble. ‘I know there’s a lot of Republicans I talked to last night, they have the same concerns on the railroad side.’ 

He explained earlier, ‘We’re making some serious cuts . . . to the railroad funding. And you know, I worry about it. We’ve got Union Pacific, we’ve got some Burlington Northern. Amtrak goes through.’

For New York Republicans, Amtrak is a particular concern. The THUD bill would cut funding to the rail system by 64% from 2023 levels. It’s likely to also have a major effect on the Northeastern Corridor, the busiest passenger rail line, which runs among Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and Boston.

‘It’s a lot of jobs in our area, in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, that could potentially be lost with the 64% cut,’ Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital. ‘The cuts are not really proportionate. They’re just, you know, a direct slash across the board.’ 

Asked whether he is opposing the bill in its current form, D’Esposito said, ‘We’re trying to talk through it and make sure that there’s not something that we’re missing. Perhaps, you know, there’s ways to find the funding elsewhere, but right now, a 64% cut to Amtrak in New York is a tough pill to swallow.’ 

A staffer for a Northeast House Republican said many lawmakers from that area are opposing the bill.

Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital that he had ‘reservations’ about supporting the THUD funding.

‘Certainly, the significant cut to Amtrak in particular, for me, the Northeast line, is . . . hard to accept. I’ve expressed those reservations and am hopeful that they can be addressed to a degree,’ he said. ‘The Northeast Corridor line is the one Amtrak line that makes significant revenue. And it is a major artery for not only the northeast, but the heart of New York State.’

He added, ‘I’m certainly interested in reining in federal spending, but it shouldn’t be done on the backs of Amtrak employees.’

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., however, told Fox News Digital that she supported the overall bill but added, ‘I would like to see some additional Amtrak funding being put back.’

But a senior GOP aide was not optimistic that enough Republican lawmakers felt the same way.

‘There’s enough opposition to kill it. It’s just a matter of whether or not they want to go to the amendment process and try to whip it still. Or if they want to pull it,’ the aide said. 

‘People were looking at THUD as a place to cut a bunch of things. So the Freedom Caucus guys are upset that we’re not cutting enough, and then you have folks like the New Yorkers, who are moderates, looking at it saying, ‘You’re cutting way too much, especially to Amtrak.’ . . . So I don’t think there’s a lot of room to budge,’ the senior GOP aide explained.

Two more lawmakers from the New York City metropolitan area would not discuss their thoughts on the bill – Reps. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., and Thomas Kean, R-N.J. 

‘I’m not talking about any of the approps bills right now,’ Lawler said tersely when asked for his thoughts. When pressed as to why, he said, ‘Because I’m not.’

As of Thursday afternoon, the THUD spending bill vote is expected on Friday.

Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Fox News Digital focused on Congress as well as the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Trump blasts Emmer as ‘globalist RINO,’ warns Republicans it would be ‘tragic mistake’ to elect him speaker
  • US senators to be briefed on Ukraine this week amid heated negotiations on emergency aid
  • North Carolina’s DMV to allow more LGBTQ phrases on vanity plates
  • White House lawyers who advised Reagan, Bush endorse Harris over Trump in 2024 showdown
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
United Nations raises concern over ‘alarming rate’ of executions in Iran
next post
WATCH: Biden admin grilled for friendly overtures to Qatar, where Hamas leader lives

You may also like

Nancy Mace reveals what she wants to hear in Trump’s...

July 18, 2024

The Impeachment Bistro: Republicans continue to keep impeachment on the...

September 4, 2023

Morning Glory: Kamala Harris is not ready to be president

August 13, 2024

Kentucky Gov. Beshear signs bill to protect domestic violence victims

April 5, 2023

Biden admin ‘perplexed’ by Netanyahu decision to cancel Israeli delegation

March 26, 2024

Biden admin hit with lawsuit for deleting emails in case...

April 18, 2024

Catholics call for removal of ‘abhorrent’ pro-abortion ad over depiction...

September 16, 2023

Tim Scott says GOP voters have ‘hunger’ for positive, conservative...

May 22, 2023

AOC raising money by using pro-Israel group’s attack on her...

January 28, 2024

Not Enough Pizza

December 20, 2022

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Shifting Tides in the Stock Market: A New Era for Bulls?

      June 24, 2025
    • How to Use Fibonacci Retracements to Spot Key Levels

      June 24, 2025
    • Offense vs. Defense: How Geopolitical Tensions Shape Market Trends

      June 24, 2025
    • How Fanatics is teaching business acumen to pro athletes

      June 24, 2025
    • Walmart to pay $10 million to settle lawsuit over money transfer fraud

      June 23, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 3,606 views
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,886 views
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,583 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,545 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,424 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,146)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,630)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Shifting Tides in the Stock Market: A New Era for...

      June 24, 2025
    • How to Use Fibonacci Retracements to Spot Key Levels

      June 24, 2025
    • Offense vs. Defense: How Geopolitical Tensions Shape Market Trends

      June 24, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,146)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,630)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Trump says he will not testify...

    December 11, 2023

    AUDUSD and AUDNZD: AUDUSD grabs a...

    September 30, 2024

    McCarthy vows he won’t make any...

    October 4, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here