2025 spending bill Archives

When the Big Beautiful Bill was passed in July, workers governed by the Railway Labor Act were not included in a tax break on overtime pay. But on Friday, September 19, a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress to include rail workers in the tax exemption. If the bill passes and is signed into law, overtime worked by railroaders will qualify for the same federal tax deduction that millions of other workers will receive starting next year.

“When the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed earlier this year, one of the only possible bright spots for union workers was the tax deduction benefit on qualifying overtime pay. But that benefit excluded the people who work day in and day out to keep our country moving: SMART-TD and SMART-MD rail workers,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman. “That wasn’t acceptable. We started working right away to fix that problem, and now, we have legislation that would do just that. I want to note that this is a bipartisan bill. That’s important, because our issues aren’t red or blue. They’re about our members having the pay, benefits and respect that they deserve. They are American issues.

“SMART members work tirelessly to serve the American people, and they deserve the same shot at tax savings as other workers. All of us at SMART thank Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Nick LaLota (NY-1), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Steven Horsford (NV-4) for introducing this bill, and we encourage any lawmaker who stands with rail workers to move this legislation forward.”

While the 2025 spending bill passed in early July included a number of harmful pieces for SMART members, one provision that would have been particularly damaging to bus operators is no longer included.

Free rein on regulating artificial intelligence

The original legislation contained a measure that would have prohibited states from regulating artificial intelligence (AI) for a period of 10 years, including automated driver systems.

Automation is already a growing threat, but this would have given big tech companies even more leeway to operate unchecked and with limited accountability.

Bottom line: Including this provision would have made a bad situation worse.

TD members directly at risk

SMART-TD bus drivers and operators would have been directly impacted by this dangerous proposal, with their jobs and livelihoods at serious risk.

There is no substitute for a human operator, and this proposal would have opened the door to replace skilled workers with unregulated technology that can’t function with the precise skill and expertise that’s needed to perform this work, especially in the event of an emergency.

It is incredibly disappointing that legislators did not stand up for their constituents and stop this harmful bill from becoming law; however, it’s a crucial victory that the Senate took the important step of removing the AI provision before it moved any further through the legislative process.

What’s next

In a video released in early July, SMART General President Michael Coleman thanked members who took the time to reach out to their lawmakers to let them know how this bill will impact them and their families.

“I want to thank President Ferguson, his entire team and all of you that engaged to get that harmful provision out of the spending bill,” General President Coleman said in his video message to members. “This would have hurt all SMART members — threatening to replace skilled workers with machines and robotics.”

SMART will continue fighting to ensure that members and their jobs are protected from the threats posed by AI. And on the road ahead, one thing is certain: Whether at the local or federal level, it is vital that we keep speaking up and contacting elected officials. Members’ input and collective strength can make a difference, and the fight is just beginning.