WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives approved a spending package on Jan. 22 that would stop federal funding for the California high-speed rail project.
U.S. Representative Kevin Kiley, a Republican from California, wrote the measure. Kiley described the project as a failure, stating that it is over budget and has missed several construction deadlines.
The proposal aims to block the California High-Speed Rail Authority from getting more federal money. However, a spokesperson for the rail authority noted that this bill only covers one year. This means any funding cuts could be reversed by a future Congress.
Rising Costs and Deadlines
According to a report by Bakersfield news station KGET, total cost estimates for the rail project now range between $88 billion and $128 billion. These costs have risen sharply since 2008, when the project was presented to voters with an estimated cost of $45 billion.
Over the last 15 years, the federal government has invested about $6.9 billion in the project. The rail authority aims to finish the track between Merced and Bakersfield by 2033. However, there is no final completion date set for the full route.
Legal and State Support
The House vote comes as California officials change their legal plans for the project. In December 2025, California Attorney General Rob Bonta dropped a lawsuit to recover about $4 billion in federal money. The Trump administration had previously withheld those funds.
Despite the potential loss of federal support, state leaders have promised to provide $1 billion in yearly funding for the rail project through 2045. This commitment includes support from the governor and Democratic state legislators.
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the spending bill before a Jan. 30 deadline.
