Legislation Reintroduced to Transform the United States’ Rail Network

Today, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Representative Chris Deluzio (PA-17), member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, reintroduced the All Aboard Act, legislation that would dedicate $200 billion over five years to build high-speed rail, expand existing passenger rail service, and electrify the most heavily polluting railyards and corridors. The legislation includes critical labor protections for the existing union labor workforce and creates a rail personnel training grant program for rail workers.

“The All Aboard Act would build the high-speed transportation system of the future and do it with union labor,” said Senator Markey. “By investing billions in America’s rail network, we can drive down emissions, make our communities more connected, and create union jobs. That is a future all Americans are on board with.”

“In 2025, the people of this great country should have a rail system that is safe, fast, affordable, and keeps the economy moving,” said Congressman Deluzio. “I am proud to join with Senator Markey to introduce the All Aboard Act to make transformational investments, like electrification, in the United States rail network. This bill will make American passenger and freight rail a lot safer and cleaner, slash road traffic, and invest in the rail workers who make it all happen.”

The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Specifically, the All Aboard Act would:

• Expand Passenger Rail and High-Performance Rail.The All Aboard Act would invest $150 billion over five years across several successful rail grant programs established or expanded in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Specifically, the bill provides $80 billion to the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail, $30 billion to the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety Improvement program, $30 billion for Amtrak, and $10 billion for the Railroad Crossing Elimination program.
• Establish a Green Railroad Fund. The All Aboard Act would create a new Green Railway Fund that would dedicate $50 billion over five years to electrify highly polluting rail yards, support electric high-performance passenger rail projects, and electrify the existing highest trafficked corridors by freight and passenger trains. With these funds, the U.S. rail network will take a lesson from many countries that have already fully electrified their train system, reducing air pollution in many frontline communities and driving down emissions from transportation.
• Create a Dedicated Rail Formula Program. The All Aboard Act would create a first-of-its-kind, $3.5 billion rail formula program for states to perform rail planning, maintenance, operations, and capital investment. Although states can rely on regular formula funding to expand highways, federal investments in rail come only through competitive grants. States need regular, reliable funding to plan for and execute a more robust rail network.
• Address Air Pollution from Railyards. The All Aboard Act would provide $500 million in grants under the Clean Air Act to address air pollution from railyards in frontline communities. Like other modes of transportation, air pollution from diesel-powered locomotives caused disproportionate harm in environmental justice communities. This investment is a down payment on addressing that harm.
• Invest in the Rail Workforce. The All Aboard Act recognizes that the rail workforce is the backbone of a safe, efficient rail network and would invest $300 million over five years to establish freight and passenger rail training centers. These centers would be run in partnership with organized labor and provide the training and development necessary to deliver the rail network of the future.

“We commend Senator Markey for reintroducing the All Aboard Act, which would supercharge efforts to modernize American rail,” said Yasmine Agelidis, attorney on Earthjustice’s Right To Zero campaign. “While other countries race ahead with electric rail, the U.S. has remained at a polluting standstill. We’re long overdue for major upgrades, and this transformative legislation would provide the critical funding we need for high-speed, efficient, zero-emissions rail. It’s a win for our economy and for the communities that have been forced to live alongside dirty freight lines.”

“We applaud Senator Ed Markey for his visionary thinking. The All Aboard Act will modernize our nation’s rail system, boost the economy, and protect public health. Investing in zero-emission rail technology is a win for communities who deserve clean air and a workforce that can rely on good, union jobs,” said Athena Motavvef, Senior Washington Representative for Union of Concerned Scientists.

“As America’s largest transportation labor federation, representing the passenger and freight rail workforce, we are proud to support the All Aboard Act,” said Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD). “This bill will expand high-speed rail programs and passenger rail systems, including Amtrak, while electrifying rail yards and reducing air pollution for both rail workers and the surrounding communities. The All Aboard Act upholds an essential industry safety standard by requiring two-person crews for any resulting federally-funding projects and also invests in the workforce by establishing training centers in partnership with unions. We thank Senator Markey and Congressman Deluzio for championing this effort and look forward to working together to push this bill forward.”

“The BLET is proud to endorse the All Aboard Act, which would help establish the high-speed passenger rail system that Americans both need and deserve. Our nation lags European nations and especially China when it comes to the development of high-speed rail. It’s time to make up for lost ground. In addition to serving the public by better connecting cities and towns with modern efficient service, the All Aboard Act would provide an economic boost to many areas of the country and secure good paying jobs in the rail industry. We salute Senator Markey for his leadership and strong support for passenger rail and America’s railroad workforce,” said Mark Wallace, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference and The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).

The All Aboard Act is supported by a broad coalition of labor, transportation, and environmental groups, including the Transportation and Trades Division of the AFL-CIO, The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED), The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BLET), Teamsters Rail Conference, Transport Workers Union (TWU), International Association of Machinists (IAM), United Electrical Workers (UE), Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation (SMART-Transportation), Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation Mechanical Division (SMART-Mechanical), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB), the Transportation Communications Union (TCU), Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Green New Deal Network, Solutionary Rail, the Moving Forward Network, The Rail Passengers Association, Transportation for America, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.