The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) is supporting the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act, H.R. 8894, which would make it a federal crime to assault Amtrak or commuter rail workers, including passenger locomotive engineers.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 19 and is being led by Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY) and Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ).
“The BLET applauds Representative Laura Gillen for introducing the Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act,” said BLET National President Mark Wallace. “Railroad workers deserve the same protections afforded to airline crews when they are threatened, intimidated, or assaulted while performing their duties. This commonsense legislation recognizes the critical role passenger rail employees play in protecting the traveling public and helps ensure their safety on the job.”
A bipartisan companion bill, S. 3665, was introduced in the Senate earlier this year, led by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND).
BLET has endorsed both bills and is pushing for their inclusion in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization legislation that Congress is actively considering this year.