House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has initiated an investigation into the federal funding provided to the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The inquiry focuses on whether the Authority misrepresented ridership projections and the financial viability of the California High-Speed Rail Project in order to obtain federal and state funds.
In a letter addressed to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Chairman Comer requested a staff-level briefing as well as documents and communications related to the project.
“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating federal funding sent to the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA or Authority). As part of our investigation, we are seeking to understand whether the Authority knowingly misrepresented the ridership projections and the associated financial viability of the California High-Speed Rail Project (CHSR Project) to secure federal and state funds,” wrote Chairman Comer. “The Committee requests a staff-level briefing, documents, and communications related to CHSRA.”
California voters approved $9.95 billion in state bond funding in 2008 for an 800-mile high-speed rail network intended to connect Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities by 2020 at an estimated cost of $33 billion. However, no route has been completed so far, and current cost estimates have risen significantly, ranging from $89 billion to $128 billion. The Biden Administration committed about $4 billion in federal taxpayer dollars to support the project, including nearly $89.65 million toward its end.
In June 2025, a Compliance Review Report from the Federal Railroad Administration highlighted issues with management and spending at CHSRA. Following this review, Secretary Duffy announced that approximately $4 billion in unspent federal funding for the project would be terminated.
“The Authority’s apparent repeated use of misleading ridership projections, despite longstanding warnings from experts, raises serious questions about whether funds were allocated under false pretenses. The massive cost overruns and lack of progress warrant a reassessment of whether CHSRA acted with transparency and complied with the law,” continued Chairman Comer.
James Comer represents Kentucky’s 1st district in Congress after replacing Ed Whitfield in 2016. He previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2012. Born in Carthage, Tennessee in 1972, Comer currently lives in Tompkinsville. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1993.
The full letter sent by Chairman Comer can be read online.
