United States President Joe Biden announced a new $16 billion project funding to shore up voter support following the release of polls that showed him lagging Donald Trump in nearly all key battleground states.
The latest announcement exhibits a business-as-usual approach for the Democratic leader as he struggles to gain support one year from Election Day. Biden unveiled the funding when he spoke at a maintenance warehouse where Amtrak trains were serviced in Bear, Delaware.
Joe Biden's $16 Billion Rail Project Funding
However, Biden did not mention the polling from the New York Times and Siena College polls. The president instead offered familiar anecdotes about his days as a senator, when a conductor named Angelo would call him "Joey, baby!" and squeeze his cheeks as he made the 90-minute ride from Washington to his home in Wilmington, Delaware.
The Democrat also took the time to promote his $1 trillion infrastructure law that he signed two years ago. This legislation included $66 billion for investments in rail systems across the United States, as per the New York Times.
The president said that he had been talking about this for a long time but that they are finally getting it done. Biden added that he knew how much it matters as he described a railway system that was more than a century old and in dire need of repair work.
Several Democratic strategists said that the president is trying to stay on message despite polling that shows him losing trust among voters in key battleground states. This trust focused on the economy, foreign policy, and immigration.
The White House responded to the polls by saying there is still a year to Election Day and polls have historically failed to predict the results when taken a year ahead. Jennifer Palmieri said that the situation is fine for Biden to do an Amtrak event.
Making US Rail First-Rate
During his speech, Biden hailed the new investments, saying he knew of the troubles of waiting on a stopped train while trying to get home. The president's words held particular resonance as trains nearby were stopped due to fire department activity on the tracks, according to CNN.
It was not immediately clear whether or not the issue was related to the problems Biden's new investments were designed to address. Biden told the crowd at the event that was committed to making US rail first-rate.
The Biden administration argued that it selected projects, including aging bridges and tunnels, that needed replacement. It added that the $16.4 billion funding includes money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that the bottom line is that the improvements the funding will create will include shortened travel times and improved reliability. Some major projects that would receive funding include $3.8 billion for rehabilitation and expansion of the heavily traveled Hudson River Tunnel.
Another $4.7 billion would be used for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel and $2.1 billion to replace a rail bridge that crosses the Susquehanna River, said Reuters.
