Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to block any attempt to rename New York's Penn Station for Donald Trump after a reported request from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to direct Amtrak to change the name. Duffy also sought an extra $1 billion for the station's design and construction. Schumer said the focus should remain on the planned $8 billion renovation, scheduled to begin in 2027, while commuters urge repairs over rebranding.
Schumer Vows To Block 'Trump Station' Rename As $1B Funding Request Sparks Senate Showdown
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to block any federal legislation that would rename New York's Penn Station after former President Donald Trump, setting up a high-profile clash over the priorities for the transit hub's planned rebuild.
The controversy followed a request, reported by ABC7 New York, from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asking Congress to include a renaming directive in legislation to reauthorize transit funding. In a letter to congressional leaders, Duffy reportedly asked lawmakers to "direct Amtrak to rename New York Penn Station" and sought an additional $1 billion in grant funding to support the station's design and construction phases.
The Department of Transportation has not formally announced any new name for the facility. Duffy previously joked at a public appearance that the station might be called "Trump Station," saying, "Is this going to be Trump station? I think that has a nice ring to it."
Editor’s note: The original reporting identifies Sean Duffy as Transportation Secretary. That designation should be independently verified with official sources.
Schumer pushed back forcefully, arguing that renovating the long-neglected station should take precedence over any rebranding. "Any transportation bill, any bill that renames Penn Station for Trump is dead in the United States Senate," Schumer said. "I will block it. It ain't happening, Donald Trump. Forget about it. Or, as we say in New York, forget about it."
Managed by Amtrak, Penn Station is the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere and is slated for an anticipated $8 billion overhaul. Work on the project is expected to begin in 2027, with the overhaul intended to address long-standing complaints about the station's condition and capacity.
Commuters and transit advocates have urged officials to focus on repairs and modernization rather than a naming debate. "Penn Station has been ill for quite some time, and it needs help," commuter Larry Walker said. "When you look around the country, you see other transit locations and they're in good shape. New York's a little behind."
Originally reported by Vritti Johar for Mandatory; first appeared on Reality Tea. This article summarizes developments and direct quotes from the involved parties and local reporting.
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