Transportation (Rail)

passed · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 248: Baby Changing on Board Act

This bill requires all new Amtrak trains (purchased after enactment) to install baby changing tables in at least one restroom per train car, including in ADA-compliant restrooms. It mandates clear signage identifying these tables and defines a baby changing table as an elevated structure supporting children up to 30 pounds. The law directly affects parents traveling with infants on Amtrak, making diaper changes more accessible during train journeys. The requirement applies only to Amtrak-owned trains acquired after the bill becomes law.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates baby changing tables on Amtrak trains, improving accessibility and passenger experience for public transit users.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

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in committee · United States · House Dec 1, 2025

HRES 798: Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 15 through September 21, 2025, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States, and supporting the goals and ideals of reducing highway-rail grade crossing-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries.

HRES 798 designates the week of September 15-21, 2025, as "Rail Safety Week" in the U.S. to raise public awareness about highway-rail grade crossing safety. The resolution supports existing efforts - led by organizations like Operation Lifesaver - to reduce incidents, fatalities, and injuries at railroad crossings, citing 2024 data showing 2,260 incidents with 260 deaths. It encourages the public to participate in safety events and learn about safe practices around tracks, without creating new laws or funding. The bill directly affects the general public by promoting education and caution at crossings, aligning with ongoing industry and government safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes rail safety awareness to reduce highway-rail crossing incidents, aligning with transportation safety goals through public education and existing program support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Rail Roads & Highways

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2792: USRC Funding Eligibility Act

HR 2792, the USRC Funding Eligibility Act, makes the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) eligible to receive 100% federal funding for several transportation infrastructure grant programs. The bill specifically modifies eligibility rules for BUILD grants, National Infrastructure Project Assistance grants, Consolidated Rail Infrastructure grants, and Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Rail grants to include the USRC as an entity that qualifies for full federal cost coverage. This policy change directly affects the USRC, allowing it to secure grants without contributing any local funds for eligible projects. The bill does not create new programs but adjusts existing federal grant rules to benefit this single designated organization.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enables 100% federal funding for USRC in transportation infrastructure grants (BUILD, rail projects), directly advancing transportation infrastructure funding and project eligibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 3728: Long-Distance Corridor Relief Enhancement Act

This bill modifies a federal requirement for selecting rail corridors by exempting long-distance passenger rail routes from needing committed or anticipated non-Federal funding. It directly affects intercity passenger rail corridors on long-distance routes accepted into the program after October 1, 2023. The key provision removes the Secretary's obligation to consider non-Federal funding when selecting these specific corridors under the program described in the law. This change simplifies the selection process for qualifying long-distance rail corridors by eliminating a prior funding requirement.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRemoves non-Federal funding requirement for long-distance rail corridors, easing project selection and supporting transportation infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Rail

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in committee · United States · House Nov 18, 2025

HR 6064: Protecting Homes from Trains Act of 2025

This bill creates a federal grant program to help communities near rail lines address train-related impacts on homes. It authorizes $100 million annually (2026-2030) for grants to states, local governments, rail carriers, or other eligible entities to design or build physical barriers between rail lines and residential areas. These barriers aim to reduce damage from derailments, noise, and vibrations affecting homeowners. The program directly supports residents living adjacent to rail corridors who face these specific disruptions.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds $100M annually for rail safety barriers near residential areas, directly enhancing transportation infrastructure safety and protecting homes from rail-related impacts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

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in committee · United States · House Dec 1, 2025

HR 5677: RIDE FAST Act

The RIDE FAST Act extends the deadline for using federal grants supporting intercity passenger rail projects from 2026 to 2032. This change directly affects states and rail operators eligible for these grants, giving them six additional years to plan and implement rail improvements. The bill amends Section 22106(a) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to adjust the authorization period without creating new funding. It focuses solely on extending existing grant availability for rail projects.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends deadline for rail grant usage, enabling more time to implement intercity passenger rail projects under existing funding, directly advancing transportation infrastructure goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

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in committee · United States · House Jan 31, 2026

HR 7298: Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026

The Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to fund transit-oriented development planning, primarily affecting state and local governments, transit agencies, and communities seeking to improve public transportation access. It expands eligible projects to include fixed guideway bus rapid transit and corridor improvements in existing systems, while requiring grantees to conduct community engagement, accessibility assessments, and feasibility studies as part of predevelopment activities. The bill authorizes $75 million annually for fiscal years 2027-2031 to support these planning efforts, with specific mandates to improve access for people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and other transit-dependent populations through infrastructure and connectivity planning.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes federal grant program funding transit planning, directly increasing public service funding for transportation infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds transit-oriented development planning, which promotes housing access and density near transit hubs, aligning with affordable housing development goals.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds transit planning, expands public transit projects (bus rapid transit, corridor improvements), and requires accessibility assessments for transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Electric Vehicles Public Transit Rail Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2025

S 2299: Resilient Transit Act of 2025

The Resilient Transit Act of 2025 (S 2299) creates federal grants to help state and local governments improve public transportation systems' resilience against climate impacts like flooding, wildfires, and extreme weather. It funds specific activities such as flood barriers, backup power systems, temperature monitoring, and vulnerability assessments for transit infrastructure. Grants prioritize projects benefiting environmental justice communities, medically underserved areas, and neighborhoods with high poverty or unemployment rates, as defined by the bill. The legislation authorizes $4.15 billion for these grants in fiscal year 2025, requiring annual reports to Congress on funded projects and their community impact.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates federal grants to fund public transit resilience projects, increasing government spending on infrastructure. No tax changes mentioned, but explicitly allocates funds for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds climate-resilient transit infrastructure (flood barriers, vulnerability assessments) to protect against environmental impacts, prioritizing environmental justice communities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds federal grants for climate-resilient transit infrastructure improvements, prioritizing vulnerable communities and enhancing public transportation systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Coastal & Flood Protection Environmental Justice Public Transit Rail

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in committee · United States · Senate May 12, 2025

S 1711: STOP China Act

The STOP China Act prohibits federal funding for the procurement of certain vehicles (including buses) or related infrastructure from companies tied to China. It bans U.S. government contracts using "covered funding" for vehicles made by "covered entities" - defined as companies headquartered in China, controlled by China, or linked to Chinese state-owned entities, particularly those producing electric powertrains. The U.S. Trade Representative must publish and update a public list of these prohibited companies within 30 days of enactment, with quarterly updates initially. Exceptions allow funding for vehicle safety testing, investigations, and research, but the law directly affects federal transportation agencies, contractors, and companies with significant Chinese ownership or control.

Topics ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBans federal funding for vehicles/infrastructure from Chinese-linked companies, restricting transportation procurement sources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

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in committee · United States · House Dec 1, 2025

HR 5570: Rail Passenger Fairness Act

HR 5570, the Rail Passenger Fairness Act, allows Amtrak to directly sue host railroads in federal court to enforce its statutory right to priority over freight trains on shared rail networks. This bill amends existing law (49 U.S.C. § 24308(c)) to give Amtrak, not just the Attorney General, the legal right to seek court orders ensuring passenger trains receive priority as required by the 1973 Amtrak Improvement Act. The key provision removes the sole reliance on the Attorney General for enforcement - a mechanism used only once since Amtrak's founding - and enables Amtrak to pursue legal action directly. This change aims to address chronic delays caused by host railroads prioritizing freight, which contributed to over 3.2 million minutes of passenger train delays in 2019. The bill focuses solely on altering the enforcement mechanism, not on prescribing new service standards or funding.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmtrak gains direct legal authority to enforce passenger train priority on shared rail networks, strengthening public transit operations and infrastructure as required by existing law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Rail

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