In the shadow of the George Washington Bridge, which would see more traffic with the implementation of congestion pricing, Congressman Josh Gottheimer shot back at the tolling plan’s revival.

“We’ll stop the congestion tax once,” Gottheimer said. “And we’ll stop it again. Game on.”

Gottheimer says the lower $9 toll does nothing to help those who are struggling financially and must drive into Manhattan below 60th Street.

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Josh Gottheimer says he has requested house leadership bring several bills to a vote before the end of the year that target the MTA, including one that would prevent the U.S. Department of Transportation from providing grants to the transit authority

  • Gottheimer says even at a lower price point, the toll will hurt his constituents though supporters of the plan say it will benefit the 80% of New Jersey residents who commute into the city using public transit

  • Rep. Jerrold Nadler believes despite full GOP control in Washington, Senator Charles Schumer can use the filibuster to prevent any legislation from passing the senate

“And since by the MTA’s own admission, this is clearly a new plan causing new traffic patterns and different economic effects than before, it requires a new study and comment period of at least 60 days,” Rep. Gottheimer said. “Today I’ll be sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration urging them to follow their rules.”

The MTA says it is not a new plan, just a phased in approach to implementing the original plan. But the congressman says he’s going to push through several bills targeting the toll, including one that would prevent the U.S. Department of Transportation from issuing grants to the MTA unless New York and New Jersey drivers are exempt from the toll.

“There is no reason we can’t bring one or all of these bills to the floor for a vote by the end of the year,” Gottheimer said. “We have plenty of time. They are bipartisan and have strong support across the region.”

But supporters of congestion pricing, like fellow democrat Rep. Jerry Nadler, say it would be futile to vote on it this year because there’s a new congress come January.

“With a new congress, everything starts from zero,” Nadler said. “It’s not going to happen.”

But Nadler says, despite his colleague saying it hurts New Jerseyans, it does help his constituents.

“98% of Gottheimers’ constituents who come into the city come in by mass transit,” Nadler said. “Which will be improved by congestion pricing, only 2% by car and their incomes are basically above $100,000.”

And even if it gets through the next congress in early January, Nadler says New York’s senior Senator, Charles Schumer, can block it.

“Chuck can stop it thru the filibuster in the senate,” he said. “Assuming we can’t stop it in the house, which I don’t know.”

There are still lawsuits, two amended and one appealing the decision to dismiss most of the claims. Those, along with one from the Trucking Association of New York (TANY) will be back in court on Friday, Nov. 21. The lawsuit filed by New Jersey has yet to be decided.