WASHINGTON – Gov. Cuomo and Gov. Christie will meet with President Trump today at the White House this afternoon to discuss the massive and stalled Gateway Project that relies on millions in federal funding.
The White House called the meeting on infrastructure and invited the New York and New Jersey governors, senators and some House members.
It’s the second time in about two months Cuomo has trekked to DC over concerns the Trump Administration isn’t honoring an Obama-era agreement to fund half – or $10 million – of the $20 million rail infrastructure project to double the passenger trains running under the Hudson River.
“This is a vital and critical project for the entire northeast,” Cuomo told reporters late Wednesday. “… I have nothing to sell. Everyone has agreed that this is a necessity. It’s been talked about for years and years. It’s a national priority.”
Cuomo said the previous deal should be honored — 50/50 split between the feds and the Port Authority.
“My position is very simple. It’s critical. It’s vital. It’s overdue. It’s been talked about for too long. You should have had a shovel in the ground from the day you said go,” Cuomo said.
He added: “I think the federal government has squandered months if not years waiting for this project to begin.”
The meeting takes places amid the “backdrop of the Trump Administration screwing around with the project,” according to a source familiar with the meeting.
Aside from Cuomo and Christie, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, several House members and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao are expected to attend, according to a second person familiar with the meeting.