Congressman Cohen Calls U.S. DOT Decision on Funding Bike and Walking Paths and EV Charging Stations Wrong and Short-Sighted

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today released the following statement after learning that the Trump U.S. Department of Transportation has directed its agencies to claw back previously awarded funding to local governments and entities for projects that include biking and walking trails and electric vehicle charging stations:

“Trump and Musk cannot simply ignore the will of Congress and flout the law by seeking the return of funding already awarded for bike and walking trail development and electric vehicle charging station infrastructure. Memphis has the sorry distinction of having the highest fatality rate for pedestrians in the country and one of the primary ways we are addressing the problem is with U.S. Department of Transportation discretionary grants for needed, life-saving projects. Increased access to biking and walking trails also helps to combat our district’s prevalent obesity rate, and we should focus on increasing – not decreasing – access to infrastructure that promotes healthy behaviors. Ultimately, Congress appropriated the funding being clawed back and helped establish strong federal, state and local partnerships to meet community needs. This short-sighted and damaging decision must be reversed immediately.”

Congressman Cohen has long advocated the concept of “Complete Streets,” ensuring states direct a portion of their federal transportation funding to prioritize infrastructure projects for bicyclists, pedestrians and public transit, including sidewalks, bike lanes and bus stops. He also played an instrumental role in securing several discretionary Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding to various transportation projects through the Ninth District.

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