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A top White House official has confirmed that the United States will pause $11 billion in government funding projects in four Democratic-led cities.

Getting into it: In an announcement on X, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought stated that the Army Corps of Engineers will “immediately be pausing over $11 billion in lower-priority projects & considering them for cancellation, including projects in New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Baltimore.” The most significant cut affects New York, which will see approximately $7 billion in infrastructure funding frozen, including support for major efforts like the Hudson Tunnel and Second Avenue Subway. Other affected states include Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, New Mexico, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Delaware, where key federally supported infrastructure, such as Massachusetts’ Sagamore and Bourne bridges, is now at risk.

Vought, a key figure in the administration’s broader government overhaul plans, said the shutdown has “drained the Army Corps of Engineers’ ability to manage billions of dollars in projects.”

Democrats have condemned the move as politically motivated and harmful to communities that depend on federal investment for public safety and economic stability. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) warned that “cutting $11 billion in Corps projects will devastate communities across America & drive up costs for working families,” adding that infrastructure funding “keeps ports competitive, protects homes from flooding, & supports good-paying jobs.” Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume called it “another example of the Trump Administration placing partisan politics over the welfare of the American people.”

In response to the criticism, Republicans have argued that the funding pause is a consequence of Democrats’ refusal to pass the House-approved continuing resolution (CR), which would have temporarily extended government funding. Vought and others have framed the situation as a “Democrat shutdown,” arguing that federal resources can’t be responsibly allocated while Democrats block funding legislation.

Democrats, however, insist their opposition to the CR stems from serious policy concerns, including the pending expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies. These subsidies, implemented during the pandemic, are set to expire at year’s end, potentially raising health care costs for millions of Americans. Democratic lawmakers have demanded the CR include a renewal of these tax credits and the reversal of Medicaid cuts included in Trump’s earlier “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” They are also seeking to roll back some of the moves made in Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes funding for news outlets and more.