The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division today applauded introduction of the bipartisan Protecting American Railroad Workers Jobs Act of 2026 (H.R. 8468) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The legislation introduced by Representatives Lance Gooden (R-TX) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) follows meetings earlier this year by BLET National President Mark Wallace and First Vice President Gary Best with the two members of Congress on the need for stronger rail security measures at the southern border and BLET’s support for this legislation.
The bill applies to all rail border crossings along the southern border, including international bridge crossings between the United States and Mexico, and requires that train crew changes occur at those locations so that only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents operate trains once they enter the United States.
BLET has long opposed the waivers granted by the Federal Railroad Administration beginning in 2018 that allowed railroads to use Mexican train crews at the Laredo and Eagle Pass, Texas, crossings. This legislation would override those waivers and permanently protect the jobs of BLET members.
President Wallace made this issue an immediate priority upon taking office in May 2025. On the heels of resolving the New Jersey Transit strike in his first month in office, he traveled to the southern border to observe operations firsthand in Eagle Pass and El Paso and to meet directly with BLET members. He has since met with members working at Laredo and last week in Nogales. These visits, and the input of BLET members, continue to guide the organization’s efforts to protect jobs and strengthen accountability in cross-border rail operations.
“On behalf of the Teamsters Rail Conference and the BLET, I want to commend Reps. Gooden and Pappas for introducing the Protecting American Railroad Workers Jobs Act of 2026 and for standing with union railroaders,” said Mark Wallace, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference and the BLET. “This is a critically important issue, and I appreciate these two leaders working across the aisle to get it done. In repeated visits to the southern border, I heard one consistent message from BLET members: railroad jobs in America should be done by Americans. This legislation reflects that commonsense principle and will strengthen job security for BLET members while reinforcing proper oversight of cross-border rail operations.”
Although the Federal Railroad Administration took action on cross-border operations in December 2025, this legislation is necessary to permanently protect American railroad jobs at the southern border.
BLET will continue working with Reps. Gooden and Pappas to secure passage of this important legislation.
A copy of the bill is available here (PDF) on the BLET National Division website.