Category: Legislation
Rep. Lawler’s Transit Funding Flexibility Act of 2025 receives SMART-TD Endorsement
Republican Congressman Mike Lawler’s Transit Funding Flexibility Act of 2025 would let cities use existing federal transit grants on payroll as well as infrastructure. Read on to see why it earned SMART-TD’s endorsement and how the bill offers a lifeline to our members in places like Philadelphia and Chicago.
1% Declares War On 2-PC & SMART-TD
Steve Forbes used his publication to attack SMART-TD and our hard-won federal Two-Person Crew (2PC) Rule. He’s pushing the usual agenda for short-term profits over reasonable service or basic human safety. Read on to see SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson’s no-holds-barred demand for accountability. Since Forbes won’t publish it, we’re taking it straight to the American people.
Unions Join Together to Fix Overtime Tax Loophole for Transportation Workers
Railroad and transportation unions are turning up the heat on Congress to fix a mistake in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that’s cheating SMART-TD members out of big overtime tax breaks. In a powerful joint letter, unions demand a fix so every rail worker who puts in long hours gets the money and respect they deserve.
Bad Actors to be Restrained Thanks to New SMART-TD-backed Transit Bill
California joins a growing list of states where SMART-TD members are fighting for stronger protections for transit operators, employees, and passengers. Read on to learn what changes could be coming to current law that would ensure our members’ enhanced safety.
Senate Strikes Down Spending Bill’s Harmful AI Provision
This week, the Senate removed a dangerous provision from its version of the soon-to-be-signed spending bill that would have put the jobs of our bus drivers and operators at risk of being lost to unchecked AI regulations. Read on to learn how this small but significant win motivates us for the larger fight that lies ahead.
Senate Passes Tax Bill Without Including Railroaders
We flooded the Senate with over 4,300 messages in support of a tax break for overtime yesterday. We were ignored. This is a result SMART-TD will not accept.
SMART-TD Calls on U.S. Senate to Support the Cantwell Amendment and Protect Rail Workers
A new amendment introduced by Senator Maria Cantwell would ensure railroaders are included in the proposed overtime tax deduction, correcting a major oversight in the Senate’s current spending bill. A vote is imminent; ask your Senator to support Amendment #2613 NOW. Help keep railroaders from being overtaxed when we are overworked.
Yardmaster Protection Act Introduced
The Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act of 2025 has been officially introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. If passed and signed into law, Yardmasters would enjoy the same maximum of 12 hours of service as the T&E crews. Read on to learn more about the Act, why it is important, and who is supporting it in the legislature.