Federal
HR 213: Bill to Ban Federal Funding for California High-Speed Rail Project
HR 213 is a federal bill that would prohibit the use of federal financial assistance for a specific high-speed rail development project in California. The bill was introduced in 2025 and referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. If enacted, it would block federal dollars from being directed toward this California rail project, though other state or private funding sources would not be affected by this legislation.
✓ REASONS TO SUPPORT
- Federal taxpayer money would not be spent on a project that has faced cost overruns and delays, keeping those funds available for other priorities
- Supporters argue that states should finance state-specific infrastructure projects without relying on federal subsidies
- Blocking federal funds could pressure California to reassess or restructure a project that critics say has struggled to deliver results
- Redirecting federal rail funding could allow other states or national rail priorities to receive more resources
✕ REASONS TO OPPOSE
- Federal investment in high-speed rail is often used to build infrastructure with broad regional and national economic benefits, and cutting it could slow that development
- Withdrawing federal funding mid-project could increase overall costs or cause the project to stall, wasting money already spent
- High-speed rail can reduce highway and air congestion and lower emissions, and blocking funds may set back those goals
- Singling out one state's project for a federal funding ban raises questions about equal treatment of infrastructure investments across states
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