Congressman George Latimer released the following statement after he voted against rescinding funding, that is already law, for public broadcasting and life-saving foreign aid: “This rescissions package reflects the extreme and out-of-touch DOGE agenda. It slashes civilian aid to Ukraine and Eastern European allies, strips access to basic family planning for 48 million women worldwide and eliminates the U.S. contribution to UNICEF. It even eliminates funding for public broadcasting, jeopardizing PBS Kids, local public TV and radio, and the emergency alert systems communities rely on during natural disasters.
“Republicans call these cuts ‘savings,’ but this is funding they voted for in the bipartisan Continuing Resolution. This isn’t about fiscal responsibility. It’s about imposing a harmful, ideological agenda at home and abroad. It is an agenda that will destroy America.”
“The recissions bill pulls back $9 billion in funding Congress already voted on and President Trump signed into law this year. This package codifies cuts that Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recommended that will destroy the government and weaken U.S. power and standing in the world,” said Latimer, who also recently joined with other elected officials in the Bronx to ask Amtrak for answers after it was reported that four new Bronx Metro North stations will not be opened until 2028 at the earliest. The project will extend Metro North access to Penn Station. This is the third time this project has been delayed since breaking ground in 2022.
“This is an incredibly frustrating setback for many of my constituents who will greatly benefit from access to these stations. East side Metro North access will cut work commutes, open up new job opportunities, and increase economic development in the Bronx,” said Rep. Latimer. “Many of us who commute on Amtrak through Penn Station understand these benefits and how a new world would open up if Metro North ran to Penn Station. This project needs to get done.”
In the letter Rep. Latimer sent to Amtrak, he requests additional information for yet another delay to this critical project and what it will mean for the project’s future. When the project broke ground in 2022, Amtrak contributed $500 million to the project while also committing to pay delay costs if Amtrak was unable to meet its labor and outage commitments. In the letter Rep. Latimer cites that President Trump’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 cuts Amtrak’s budget by 25%, so any subsequent delay could have compounding consequences for the future of this project.
“I thank Congressman Latimer for his focus on this critical issue. The Penn Station Access project is one of the most transformational infrastructure investments our region has seen in decades. Residents along Westchester’s Sound Shore have waited far too long for equitable, efficient transit access. This delay is deeply disappointing, and I urge all partners—especially Amtrak and the MTA—to work together to accelerate the timeline. Establishing a one-seat ride into Penn Station is essential. The economic opportunity, improved healthcare access, and enhanced quality of life this project promises are simply too important to delay any further,” said Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
“Many New Rochelle residents commute on Metro North and will benefit from direct access to Penn Station. Each delay means lost time at work or with their families. I urge Amtrak and the MTA to work together to expedite the work needed and get this project back on track,” said New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert.
