Menendez Votes Against Trump Pick To Lead Federal Transit Administration

New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is opposing the Trump Administration's pick to run the Federal Transit Administration, citing concerns that politics will determine transit priorities.

Menendez was the only member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee to vote against nominee Thelma Drake. Menendez is the highest-ranking Democrat on the mass transit subcommittee.

Menendez said he wanted answers about federal support for a new Hudson River train tunnel, but Drake gave none during her confirmation hearing last month.

“I asked her whether she would ultimately make a commitment not to accept political interference in any decisions," Menendez said, explaining his 'no' vote. "And before this committee she would not answer that affirmatively. That’s pretty amazing.”

President Trump has opposed federal spending on the so-called Gateway project — even threatening to veto the entire spending bill earlier this year — saying it's too expensive and New York and New Jersey are not picking up enough of the cost.

A recent spending bill eventually included about $600 million in start-up money.

Project supporters say replacing the current, failing tunnel is one of the nation's most important transportation projects and the Trump Administration is setting financing requirements for Gateway that other transit projects haven't had to meet. Menendez says the administration has "moved the goalposts" and is opposing Gateway for political reasons.

Drake's nomination now heads to the full Senate for confirmation.