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119-hr-5570119th CongressWALLET

Rail Passenger Fairness Act

Sponsored By: Representative Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

In Committee

Summary

Gives Amtrak a private right to sue in federal court to enforce passenger-train priority over freight. It would let Amtrak seek injunctions and other equitable relief alongside the Attorney General to address host-railroad interference that causes delays.

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  • Passengers: Aims to cut delays that in fiscal year 2019 affected about 6.5 million riders and produced over 1,000,000 minutes of freight-related delay.
  • Amtrak: Would create a new enforcement tool enabling civil suits under the statutory preference rules and may speed operational fixes that historically improved on-time performance.
  • Host freight railroads: Increases risk of federal civil actions and court-ordered remedies if they fail to give dispatching priority to passenger trains.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Amtrak could sue to enforce train priority

The bill would let Amtrak sue in federal court in Washington, DC. Amtrak could ask a judge to enforce the rule that passenger trains get priority over freight on shared tracks. This would be in addition to action by the Attorney General. If enacted, it would take effect right away. This could help make passenger trains more reliable where freight delays them.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

PA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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