WASHINGTON, DC -- A recent directive from President Donald Trump may delay hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants intended for infrastructure upgrades across the state.  Trump’s order pauses billions of dollars in already awarded grant money for projects nationwide.

In an effort to ensure the pause doesn’t negatively impact Rhode Island or hold up work, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo sent a letter to the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) urging him to confirm that the law will be upheld and the funds will be released to the state.

Legal experts have noted that if the Trump Administration fails to adhere to the law, then lawsuits would ensue and courts would likely overturn the President’s attempt to undo the law, delaying work and costing U.S. taxpayers untold sums of wasted money.

Text of the letter follows:

January 25, 2025

Mr. Matthew Vaeth

Acting Director

Office of Management and Budget

725 17th St, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Acting Director Vaeth:

As you know, the Trump Administration has needlessly halted work to advance the release of funding appropriated by Congress and competitively awarded for projects in the State of Rhode Island and elsewhere. In particular, we are alarmed that the Administration is blocking the release of over $600 million in competitive grant funding for more than ten Rhode Island transportation projects. These grants include over $220 million for the Interstate-195 Washington Bridge, which has been partially closed since December 2023 due to a catastrophic failure, and more than $250 million to address 15 bridges along Rhode Island’s busy I-95 corridor, which span critical rail and roadway infrastructure.

These are essential projects that have already been evaluated and selected in a competitive process for funding.

Lingering uncertainty about the status of funding threatens to disrupt work on these essential infrastructure projects, which could have negative ramifications for state and local budgets, preventing projects from being completed on time, threatening good-paying jobs, and

harming our economy. We ask that you promptly confirm that all of these funds, as well as others being held for review, will be released to the State.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,