Maryland Democratic officials are pressing for clarity about the future of infrastructure projects in Maryland, three weeks after a Trump administration official said the Army Corps of Engineers would immediately pause and potentially cancel $11 billion in projects nationwide.
U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, D-Maryland, along with seven Democratic representatives, sent a letter seeking more details this week to Adam Telle, assistant secretary of the Army for civil works.
“These funds were provided by Congress with bipartisan support, and communities in our state and across the country depend on these infrastructure investments to fortify coastal communities, keep our ports competitive and prevent flooding,” the letter said.
Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, posted a statement on X in October saying the government shutdown had “drained the Army Corps of Engineers’ ability to manage billions of dollars in projects.”
The post specifically mentioned projects in Baltimore, New York, San Francisco and Boston. But Maryland officials say they have not received further information on which might be at risk.
There are several U.S. Army Corps of Engineer projects in progress in Maryland, including wastewater facilities, flood risk management projects, and navigation projects that officials described as “essential to the functioning of the Port of Baltimore and interstate commerce along the entire East Coast.”
The letter says the administration has yet to provide additional information, despite numerous attempts to get more information. The lawmakers requested further details by no later than Wednesday, Nov. 12.
