McCaul Applauds Termination of $64 Million Grant for Texas High Speed Rail Project

Austin, Texas — U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) today released the following statement on the news that the Trump administration has terminated $63.9 million in federal funding for the Amtrak Texas High-Speed Rail Corridor. While the project was originally proposed as a private venture, it was granted federal funding by the Biden administration.

“I’m extremely grateful Secretary Duffy has canceled this $64 million grant, which would have imposed an economic injustice on Texas’ landowners — forcing them to subsidize the very project that could strip them of their property. The Texas high-speed rail project has been a disaster from the start, with numerous delays, permitting issues, and ballooning costs. Today’s announcement is a tremendous victory for Texans across my district, who do not need this project and should not be on the hook to fund it. I will continue working with the administration to safeguard taxpayer dollars and protect the land that Texas’ farmers, ranchers, and landowners tirelessly care for and deserve to keep.”

Background:

McCaul has consistently opposed the project since its announcement, fighting to prevent taxpayer subsidization of the high-speed rail.

He sent multiple letters to Biden administration officials and private sector leaders — including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, and Amit Bose, former administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration — opposing taxpayer funding for the project and voicing concerns about Texans’ property rights.

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