FRA Notice of Funding Opportunity Labeled ‘The Trump Dividend’

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WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity that it's calling "The Trump Dividend" because of funding that was redirected from the California High Speed Rail program.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy this week announced that over $5 billion is available through the Federal Railroad Administration in a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). About half of this amount (approximately $2.4 billion) was redirected from the California High Speed Rail program. In addition to the additional funding, the development of a new National Railroad Partnership Program was announced.

Secretary Duffy said “Under President Trump’s leadership, America is building again. Our new National Railroad Partnership Program will emphasize safety –– our number one priority –– without the radical Biden-Buttigieg DEI and green grant requirements. Instead of wasting dollars on Governor Newsom’s high-speed rail boondoggle, these targeted investments will improve the lives of rail passengers, local drivers, and pedestrians.”

The announcement pointed out that a key goal of this funding is to make improvements to grade crossings, “which result in more than 2,000 incidents and 200 fatalities each year.”

In addition, the announcement said the program would include “the repeal of unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements as part of the Trump Administration’s push to end illegal discrimination and restore merit-based opportunity.”

You can download and read the entire announcement below.