WATCH: Ranking Member Carbajal Blasts Bizarre New Trump Policy Directing Grants to ‘High Birth Rate’ Areas: "How Do Birth Rates Help Determine Sound Investments?"

At the first hearing of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, Ranking Member Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) called out a bizarre new Department of Transportation (DOT) memo instructing departmental employees to “give preference to communities with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average.” “I'm having trouble understanding how birth and marriage rates contribute to making grant awards that strengthen our national supply, let alone the legality of it,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Does anyone know how marriage and birth rates help determine sound maritime investments?” The panel of maritime experts testifying at the hearing could not provide any evidence to support the DOT guidance. Watch the whole exchange here . The Congressman’s full statement is included below: “Mr. Anderson, on January 29th, the new Secretary of Transportation directed the Department to prioritize projects that, quote, “give preference to communities with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average.” I'm having trouble understanding how birth and marriage rates contribute to making grant awards that strengthen our national supply, let alone the legality of it. I would venture to guess that this panel of witnesses combines over 100 years of maritime experience. Does anyone know how marriage and birth rates help determine sound maritime investments? Anybody? Anybody on the panel? Your silence says it all.”