Longtime ally of union workers elected minority leader of Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Material Subcommittee

January 16, 2025

Home>News>Front Page>Longtime ally of union workers elected minority leader of Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Material Subcommittee

The SMART Transportation Division (SMART TD) congratulates Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-Nevada) on her selection to serve as the Ranking Minority Leader of the House Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee. Rep. Titus has been a dedicated advocate for our members, championing key legislation that supports freight rail, bus, and transit workers.

“Congresswoman Titus has always been a strong ally to our members, and her leadership on transportation issues has been invaluable,” said Greg Hynes, Director of SMART TD’s National Safety and Legislative Department. “Her deep experience and commitment to improving the lives of working people make her exactly the kind of leader we need in this role. We are fortunate to continue working with her to protect and advance our priorities.”

SMART Transportation Division congratulates Congresswoman Dina Titus on her appointment as Ranking Minority Leader of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, recognizing her strong advocacy for freight rail, bus, and transit workers, and her continued commitment to improving working conditions and safety in the transportation industry.
SMART-TD Vice President Gary Crest, Nevada SLD Gabe Christenson, Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), and Scott Brent, Assistant Safety and Legislative Director of California, meet to discuss our union’s legislative priorities as part of Railroad Day On The Hill in May of 2024,

Rep. Titus has been instrumental in advocating for legislation like the INVEST in America Act, which benefits our transit members, and in advancing the Brightline West project creating hundreds of new jobs on America’s rails. She led the Nevada delegation in securing funding for the high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas to Southern California, ensuring that union jobs would be a cornerstone of the project. As a senior member of the House T&I Committee, her support for the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2024 is crucial for this transformative bill that stands to dramatically improve safety and working conditions for freight rail workers, including crucial protections like two-person train crews and train length limitations.

Jared Cassity, Deputy Director of the National Safety and Legislative Department, noted, “Rep. Titus is the real deal. Her decades of pushing for high-speed rail and her work on key safety legislation are a testament to her dedication to our industry and our membership. As Ranking Member, she’ll be in an even stronger position to protect our members and ensure their voices are heard.”

SMART TD looks forward to working closely with Ranking Member Titus in this new role. As the largest labor union in the American rail industry, we will continue to be relentless in our efforts to advance the issues that matter most to our members and their families and working with Congresswoman Titus to achieve those goals.