HIGH-SPEED RAIL OPPOSITION GROUP ASKING DOJ TO REVIEW PROJECT

  

A letter from a group opposing the high-speed rail project between Houston and Dallas has been sent to the U.S. Department of Justice, requesting investigation into whether the project’s leaders have violated the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

The letter, written by Texans Against High Speed-Rail along with Holtzman-Vogel, raises concerns about the project’s ridership calculations, flooding and drainage, possible public safety issues, and new development along the route since the publication of the environmental impact statement.

Texans Against High Speed Rail President Trey Duhon said the group has requested a review by the DOJ because Texas Central, which is alleged to be influenced by Japanese sovereign wealth funds, is seeking funding from the U.S. government and special rules related to the technology of choice for the project.  

Duhon said, “We understand that high-speed rail is a priority for the Biden Administration but given the serious environmental justice issues and alleged improper handling of foreign financial backing of this project, we strongly advise the US Department of Transportation and the Biden Administration to pick a different horse.”

In August, Amtrak announced that it was evaluating the prospects of a partnership with Texas Central to potentially move forward with the project.  Board members from Texans Against High-Speed Rail met last month with Amtrak to discuss their concerns. 

State House District 8 Representative Cody Harris called upon U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to enforce FARA, pointing to the project’s rising costs and worries about eminent domain and foreign entities taking control of Texas lands.