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New York Attorney General James files suit against Homeland Security for $34 Million over Transit Funding Freeze

Letitia James, New York's Attorney General, filed an emergency motion and a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking a temporary injunction against U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as well as the Department. She accused them of illegally refusing to provide nearly $34 millions of funding requested by New York State's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The MTA is a state-run agency that runs New York City's buses and subways, as well commuter rails that serve the nearby suburbs.

James filed a lawsuit in late Tuesday at the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York to seek an emergency order before midnight. This is intended to protect the MTA funding.

The Department of Homeland Security didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

In a press release, her office stated that "DHS cut New York's Award from nearly $34 Million to Zero - an illegal decision". James did not ask for disbursement of funds tonight but only the preservation of the money while the courts decide the case.

James stated that the move jeopardizes millions of New Yorkers' safety.

James said: "I'm asking the court to take action before midnight to prevent these funds from disappearing and to make sure that New Yorkers don't put themselves at risk because of this administration’s political games."

The U.S. Transportation Department announced last month that it may

Withhold

MTA could lose up to 25 percent of federal funding if it does not improve the safety of workers who maintain subway tracks. (Reporting from Gnaneshwarrajan and Mrinmay dey in Bengaluru, editing by Kim Coghill.)

(source: Reuters)