Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) issued the following statement in response to reports that, in a meeting with tristate Republican members, Speaker Paul Ryan suggested stripping federal funding for the Gateway Tunnel project from the Omnibus after veto threats from Donald Trump:

“A new tunnel is of critical importance to millions of commuters. It is decisive to the future stability of my state and rail traffic up and down the eastern seaboard. Its building to serve interstate commerce and mass transit falls under the very responsibility of the federal government. These facts are indisputable.

“The Origination Clause instructs that '[a]ll Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives…' The House has spoken and there is strong support for this project among both Democrats and Republicans. 

“Speaker Ryan should not have to be reminded that he is the leader of the House of Representatives. This body is not an auxiliary of the White House. The House must serve its members and the people of this country, not the whims of the executive.”