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The national freeze on $2.1 billion designated for the city of Chicago transportation initiatives was revealed on the end of the week, as stated by OMB Director the official.

Affected Initiatives

Included in the plans affected by the funding freeze involve the extension of the Red Line, which was scheduled to start building in 2026 and improve mass transit to less served communities in the city.

Furthermore, improvement projects on a variety of transit lines were also paused.

Explanation for the Pause

Vought stated on social media that the money was “paused to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting.”

This declaration follows a parallel move recently involving New York, where the director announced that $18 million for public works would be halted, including funding for a new train tunnel under the river.

Government Shutdown Background

This move comes as the national stoppage enters its third day, with the Senate set to hold a vote later in the day.

In spite of the planned legislative action, there is little confidence that a resolution is close, as the Democratic party hold out for a set of health-related concessions.

Broader Effects

At the same time, a increasing amount of government departments and staff are directly blaming the Democratic party for the stoppage.

This partisan communication by offices could be a infraction of the Hatch Act, which bans government workers from participating in partisan political activity.

Laid-off government workers at various departments have been instructed to set automated replies stating that they are not working because Democrats caused a shutdown.

“The progressive wing has chosen to shut down the United States government in the name of reckless spending and obstructionism,” the treasury department’s website reads.

Even, warnings over economic damage are not prompting compromise efforts.

An analysis by EY Parthenon estimated that every week the closure continues will mean a $7 billion blow to the national economy.