Rep. Burlison Introduces Train Crew Choice Act to Block FRA’s Union-Driven Mandate

Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO-07) introduced the Train Crew Choice Act, legislation to nullify the Biden-Harris administration’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rule requiring all freight trains to operate with at least two crew members on board at all times. 

“This bill is about stopping union bosses from using Washington to get what they can’t win at the bargaining table,” said Congressman Burlison. “Previously, in 2019, the FRA concluded that ‘accident/incident data does not support a train crew staffing regulation.’ Yet the Biden-Harris administration went ahead with this mandate, which burdens small railroads with increased costs with no benefit except inflating union membership.” 

The Train Crew Choice Act repeals the FRA’s two-person crew rule and restores flexibility for railroads to make staffing decisions based on safety, technology, and efficiency. 

“Freight rail is one of the safest ways to move goods in America,” Burlison continued. “We should be encouraging innovation, not imposing unnecessary regulations that benefit special interests.”