Statement from National President of BLET on introduction of the Railway Safety Act of 2026

Our nation doesn’t need another rail disaster like what we all saw in East Palestine. Inaction by the rail industry since that derailment and fire three years ago demonstrates that we can’t trust that the major railroads will raise safety standards without action by Congress. The Class I railroads continue to move in the wrong direction by running longer trains, holding fewer and shorter inspections, and having an over-reliance on automation. This has increased safety risks for railroaders and the 80 million Americans who live near a Class I railroad track.

Two-person train crews, stronger and more frequent inspections, tougher penalties, and improved hazardous materials notification are essential to protecting railroad workers and the public. These reforms will only happen if Congress passes the Railway Safety Act of 2026.

The members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have been seeking these needed reforms. We salute the sponsors of this important bipartisan legislation designed to keep train running safely across this great country, Washington’s Maria Cantell and Ohio Senator Jon Husted, as well as the bill’s co-sponsors, Senators Moreno, Schmitt, Klobuchar, Baldwin and Fetterman. It also must be said that we would not have reached this point without the strong and continued commitment of Vice President J.D. Vance to reforming rail safety standards.