Gateway Project Stops, NJ Dems Maintain Funding Fight

By Anthony Birritteri, Editor-in-Chief On Feb 6, 2026

Gov. Mikie Sherrill, Democratic members of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation, including Senator Cory Booker, and labor union leaders gathered in Weehawken this morning to protest the construction stoppage of the Hudson Tunnel Project, which immediately impacts 1,000 current jobs and potentially 11,000 if the pause is extended.

The Trump administration suspended funding for the $16 billion Gateway Project for what Democratic leaders in the region are calling political reasons. Last night, it was reported that President Donald Trump may allow funding to resume if New York Penn Station, as well as Dulles Airport in Virginia, are named after him.

This follows a week in which lawsuits were filed by the Gateway Development Commission and the states of New York and New Jersey against the federal government because project funding had been approved and committed by Congress.

“The president has decided that politics are more important to him than the working men and women of this country. Here in New Jersey, we are not going to stand for it,” Sherrill said. “We are drawing the line. We are suing the president. We are fighting for the 1,000 working men and women on this project, the almost 100,000 working men and women this project could employ, and the $20 billion of economic output that it could mean for our region.”

Sherrill questioned why the president would “punish” the region that produces 20% of the nation’s GDP. “I’ve heard it’s because he wants Dulles Airport named after him. I’ve heard it’s because he wants Penn Station named after him. I’ve heard that’s what he cares about more than the people on this job site. … That’s my commitment to everybody here today,” Sherrill continued. “When I was in Congress, I was called the tunnel-obsessed Congresswoman … but I will tell you, I remain the tunnel-obsessed governor and will remain so until this tunnel is finished.”

“Money is frozen by a president who has no idea what he’s doing,” said Congressman Frank Pallone (D-6). “If he wants something named after him, there are landfills in Middlesex and Monmouth counties or a Superfund site … I’ll name something [after him], but don’t play this political nonsense because all it is doing is hurting our workers, hurting our economy, and we need to move forward.”

As the only New Jersey Democrat currently serving on the House Transportation Committee, Congresswoman (D-9) Nellie Pou said building the Gateway tunnel is not a “luxury endeavor. It is existential. It is the most important transit project in our entire country. Congress has authorized this funding under the law. The state has done its part. Shovels are in the ground. You do not get to pull the plug because you don’t like who benefits,” she said.

“We have a united delegation. We support the state’s lawsuit, and we will not take this nonsense laying down,” Pou continued. “We will not let this administration jeopardize the workers’ livelihoods and our region’s future on a whim. Gateway will move forward.”

“This is sabotage. This is political hostage taking. This is one of the worst acts of extortion I’ve ever seen,” said Senator Booker. “And it’s all being unraveled today by a president that is so petty and so small that he’s concerned about the things that don’t matter to working people.”

In a press release issued this morning, Tom Prendergast, CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, said, “Today is a setback, but it is not the end. To those who have long championed the Gateway project, our workforce, and the riders who are relying on GDC to finally deliver the modern, reliable commute they deserve: know that our work is far from over. GDC will continue to do everything in our power to get our funding restored and deliver the most urgent infrastructure project in the country.”

In an issued statement, New Jersey Business & Industry Association President and CEO Michele Siekerka, commented, “Today’s announcement is a major disappointment for New Jersey commuters, our business community, and for our economic outlook.

“NJBIA has long believed the infrastructure improvements coming from this project are absolutely necessary for our long-term economic progress. New Jersey’s competitiveness is reliant upon a modern, accommodating, and safe transportation system. The delivery of the Hudson Tunnel Project is a crucial part of that mix, not only for New Jersey, but for the region. We urge that all parties continue to work at getting this project back on track, without the burden of politics. For the good of our economy, this major and essential infrastructure investment needs to happen.”

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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