U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy is firing back regarding comments made by the city of Jamestown’s director of development regarding funds that were to be used for a city water project. In a statement to The Post-Journal, the District 23 congressman says the delay in the money is due to inaction by Democrats in the Senate.

“As part of the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process, I secured critical community project funding for the city of Jamestown’s stormwater channel maintenance — an infrastructure priority vital to protecting homes, businesses, and public safety in our region,” he said. “This funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 8998), which passed the House with my full support.”

Langworthy reached out to the newspaper after reading the comments by Crystal Surdyk, who blamed President Donald Trump for the lack of action. He said those comments were “woefully uninformed and inaccurate.”

“Let’s be clear: this funding was advanced through the House with my advocacy and support. It was not rescinded, frozen, or eliminated by President Trump or his administration in any way.”

Dredging of the channels in the wetland area of Jones and Gifford Avenue, along with some other areas along the Chadakoin River that are channels that were formerly used for steamboats and other boats was targeted for the funding.

“The real reason this funding has not yet been delivered is because Senate Democrats, led by Sen. (Charles) Schumer, refused to engage in serious negotiations and failed to pass a single appropriations bill,” Langworthy said. “Instead, they forced Congress into yet another continuing resolution — kicking the can down the road at the expense of communities like ours.”

Langworthy said he has resubmitted a request for the project as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 process. “I will continue fighting to ensure that Jamestown receives the federal support it deserves — and that the facts are set straight,” he said.

City officials also issued a statement regarding the comments. “We have maintained open communication with Congressman Langworthy’s office and have since resubmitted the Chadakoin project for Fiscal Year 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending consideration, said Joseph Calmieri, executive assistant to Mayor Kim Ecklund. “The process is on track, and we remain hopeful that it will be included in the upcoming federal budget.”