Key Trump admin agency facing major backlog inherited from Biden
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently tackling a backlog of approximately 3,200 grant awards that were left without signed agreements, a situation that Secretary Sean Duffy attributes to the previous administration under Secretary Pete Buttigieg. In a recent statement, Duffy highlighted the unprecedented backlog of grants that his team uncovered upon taking office.
One of the notable grants caught in this backlog is the Washington Bridge in Rhode Island, which has been closed on its westbound side since 2023 due to necessary repairs, as confirmed by the Rhode Island state government.
Duffy expressed frustration over the backlog, citing the hindrance caused by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Green New Deal requirements that impeded the progress of real infrastructure projects. Under the current administration, efforts are being made to streamline the process and focus on essential infrastructure development.
A DOT spokesperson disclosed that the backlog amounts to $43 billion, with 1,000 grant winners selected during the transition from the Trump to Biden administration, totaling $9 billion awaiting formalization. Despite the selection of grant winners, no steps were taken to finalize the agreements and allocate the funds to the intended projects.
In response to the backlog, the DOT is expediting the review process and prioritizing the execution of executive grant agreements for major infrastructure initiatives such as roads and bridges.
During a Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump, Duffy emphasized that many of the grant awards announced by the Biden administration lacked signed agreements, attributing the delay to additional green and social justice requirements. Trump advocated for removing these barriers to focus on infrastructure development, a sentiment that Duffy echoed.
The Trump administration has been vigilant in scrutinizing federal funds distributed through grants to ensure they are free from ideological constraints. Following Duffy’s confirmation, measures such as the DOT Equity Council and environmental justice initiatives were eliminated to streamline the allocation of funds.
Additionally, the DOT has initiated a federal investigation into the California high-speed rail project due to escalating costs and minimal progress, reflecting a broader commitment to ensuring accountability and efficiency in infrastructure projects.
Cameron Arcand, a politics writer based in Washington D.C., covers this ongoing development at the DOT. For story tips or inquiries, reach out to Cameron.Arcand@Fox.com or connect on Twitter at @cameron_arcand.
