Rep. Ritchie Torres and Rep. Adriano Espaillat Demand Answers on Funding Delays for Hudson Raritan Estuary Restoration Projects

Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), joined by Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought seeking clarity and accountability regarding the status of federally authorized restoration projects in the Hudson Raritan Estuary.

In the letter, the lawmakers raise concerns about public statements suggesting that billions of dollars in Army Corps of Engineers projects have been paused or canceled following the government shutdown. They note that despite those claims, no formal guidance or clarification has been provided regarding the Hudson Raritan Estuary program, which includes projects critical to New York communities.

The letter emphasizes that the Hudson Raritan Estuary restoration initiative has undergone years of study and review by the Army Corps of Engineers, including a comprehensive restoration plan and a subsequent feasibility study. Congress formally authorized construction of these projects, and local partners have committed more than $65 million in cost-sharing based on that federal commitment.

The lawmakers warned that delaying or canceling the projects would harm environmental restoration efforts, weaken protections against flooding and severe storms, and jeopardize investments already made by local partners. The letter requests direct answers from OMB on whether the Trump Administration intends to withhold or cancel the funding and on what legal basis such actions would be taken.

Reps. Torres and Espaillat requested a formal response by February 17, 2026, and reiterated that the Trump Administration is legally obligated to carry out congressionally authorized and funded projects.

A copy of the letter is attached as a PDF here.