SMART-TD Celebrates Historic Victory for Rail Safety Reforms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2026 —INDEPENDENCE, OH

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD) today celebrated a historic victory for railroad workers, first responders, communities, and the future stability of America’s supply chain after the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee voted to include key Railway Safety Act (RSA) provisions in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill (H.R. 8870).

With today’s committee action, the most significant rail safety reforms in generations are now positioned to move before the full House and Senate for an up-or-down vote by the elected representatives of the American people.

The amendment passed with overwhelming bipartisan support 54-11. Led by Congressman Troy Nehls and his fellow Representatives Bresnahan and Van Drew who co-sponsored the RSA Amendment. Twenty other Republicans joined in voting in favor of this critical legislation, while Representatives Titus, Larsen, Deluzio, (Democratic co-sponsors) and all 31 Democrats on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee supported our highest legislative priority.

“This is a monumental day for railroaders and working Americans,” said SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson. “For years, rail labor has fought to force Congress to confront the dangerous consequences of Wall Street-driven railroad policies. Today, despite relentless opposition from the railroad lobby and the Association of American Railroads, the will of the American people broke through.”

The Railway Safety Act movement was born from tragedy following the February 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. This disaster exposed the catastrophic consequences of deregulation, Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR), workforce reductions, and corporate cost-cutting measures that prioritized profit margins over safety.

SMART-TD recognized then-Senator J.D. Vance and Senator Sherrod Brown for laying the bipartisan foundation for this moment through their leadership in crafting the original Railway Safety Act legislation in 2023 and 2024.

“Since East Palestine, there has been a clear bipartisan appetite in both chambers of Congress to pass meaningful rail safety reform,” Ferguson said. “But time and again, the railroad lobby and the AAR used their enormous influence, lobbying power, and dark money to pressure committee chairs and congressional leadership to keep these bills from ever receiving fair votes.”

“Today, through bipartisan cooperation and the relentless work of SMART-TD’s Safety and Legislative Department, the American worker finally broke through those barriers.”

SMART-TD also extended gratitude to the lawmakers who have championed rail safety legislation across Congress, including Representatives Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Mike Rulli (R-OH), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Dina Titus (D-NV), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and numerous others who have consistently supported independent rail safety measures and helped build the momentum that made today possible.

“The work of these legislators, Democrats and Republicans alike, collectively moved the needle in Congress and elevated the national conversation around railroad safety,” said SMART-TD National Safety and Legislative Director Jared Cassity. “Today’s victory did not happen overnight. It happened because railroad workers never stopped fighting, communities never stopped demanding accountability, and courageous lawmakers refused to back down.”

The legislation includes sweeping reforms strongly supported by SMART-TD and rail labor, including:

• Federal two-person crew (2-PC) requirements on freight trains;
• Stronger regulations governing hazardous materials transportation;
• Enhanced inspection protections and defect detector standards;
• Increased accountability and penalties for safety violations;
• Long train safety reviews and operational safeguards;
• Expanded emergency response preparedness requirements.

SMART-TD also acknowledged the support provided by both the Trump and Biden Administrations throughout the broader national rail safety movement following East Palestine.

“This victory belongs to every railroader who spoke up, every family member who sacrificed, every community that demanded change, and every elected official willing to stand with working Americans over corporate lobbyists,” Ferguson said.

“The lives of our fallen brothers and sisters can never be justified by any legislation. But they are honored by the effort we advanced today.”

The union emphasized that the significance of today’s action extends far beyond rail labor itself.

“This is a great day for railroad workers. It is a great day for the long-term stability of our national supply chain and economy,” Cassity said. “But more importantly, this is proof that when the wellbeing of working Americans is directly at stake, there is still enough decency left in Washington for people from different political backgrounds to come together and do what is right for this country and its blue-collar middle class.”

SMART-TD called on Congressional leadership in both chambers to move quickly to bring the legislation to the House and Senate floors for final passage.

“For decades, railroad corporations treated safety improvements as optional and workers as expendable,” Ferguson concluded. “Today marks the beginning of the end of that era.

###

For more information, or to speak with SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson, National Safety and Legislative Director Jared Cassity, or members of their leadership teams, please contact our Communications Department.

Dan Banks
dbanks@smart-union.org
(330) 322-5949 (Cell)

Alyssa Hansen
alyssa.hansen@smart-union.org