Losing the money would be a significant setback for Chicago’s transportation plans.

White House budget director Russ Vought said the Trump administration will withhold US$2.1-billion for Chicago infrastructure projects, expanding funding fights that have targeted Democratic areas during the government shutdown.

The pause affects a long-awaited plan to extend the city’s Red Line train. Vought wrote on social media Friday that the money was “put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting.”

Vought made a similar announcement earlier this week involving New York, where he said US$18-billion for infrastructure would be paused, including funding for a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River.

President Donald Trump has embraced Vought’s tactics. On Thursday night, he p

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