Reps. Gillen and Van Drew Introduce Bipartisan Bicameral Rail Crew Protection Bill to Safeguard Railworkers

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-NY-04) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act alongside Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-02), to improve public safety and address violence against railway crews aboard passenger trains. The legislation would extend protections to passenger and commuter rail workers that are already afforded to airline crewmembers, which allows these assaults to be charged as a federal offense. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"Rail workers deserve the strongest possible protections against any acts of violence or assault," said Rep. Gillen. "My district in Nassau County is served by the nation's largest commuter railroad, the Long Island Rail Road. Each day, thousands of dedicated workers keep nearly 300,000 New Yorkers moving safely and reliably. They deserve the same federal protections afforded to other essential transportation workers across industries."

"It is only common sense that our railroad workers get these protections," said Congressman Van Drew. "They keep America moving every day and should not have to worry about being assaulted or threatened while doing their jobs. They deserve the same protections already provided to flight crews. It is the least we can do, and I am proud to help lead this bipartisan legislation."

"No one in America should experience what my constituent Michael Case endured when he was shot and critically injured simply for performing his job as an Amtrak conductor," said Senator Duckworth. "Congress rightfully recognized decades ago that flight crew members deserved uniform legal protections against assault and intimidation, and it's past time we grant our passenger rail crew members with the same legal protections that apply to flight crews."

"Anyone who assaults a crew member or interferes with travel, whether by rail or in the air, should be held to the same standard," said Senator Hoeven. "This bipartisan legislation will provide the same protections for rail crews that currently exist for airline crew to ensure that's the case. In addition to crewmember safety, this effort will also better ensure the safety of those traveling by rail."

Currently, assaults on rail employees are handled under the legal system of the specific jurisdiction where the incident takes place. However, bringing charges against individuals who commit assaults on trains can be challenging. Passenger trains often travel through numerous jurisdictions, sometimes even hundreds, each with its own police departments, prosecutors, and court systems. In some situations, it may be unclear exactly where along the route the assault occurred, making jurisdiction difficult or impossible to determine while the train is in motion.

The Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act would:

• Make it unlawful for any person, while onboard a passenger train or commuter rail transportation in operation, or on a platform serving such a train, to:
  • (1) assault a crew member and thereby interfere with the performance of the duties of the crew member or lessen the ability of a crew member to perform those duties; or
  • (2) attempt or conspire to perform such an act.
• Violators would be subject to a fine or imprisonment for up to 8 years, or both. In cases where a dangerous weapon is used in assaulting the crew member, they would be subject to up to 20 years.

"No worker should ever go to work wondering if today is the day that someone might try to hurt or kill them. Yet, just like in the airline industry, rail workers face that unfortunate reality every single day, which is why our members, the onboard conductors and assistant conductors, have long fought for parity with airline crew protections. Today, thanks to Senators Hoeven and Duckworth, and Representatives Gillen and Van Drew, we take a giant step toward achieving that goal with the introduction of the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act, which makes it a federal offense to interfere with the duties of onboard train crews and station personnel," said Jared Cassity, National Safety & Legislative Director of SMART-TD.

"Safety is freight railroads' highest priority from the skilled railroaders who keep the national rail network running to the communities we serve. That commitment is reflected in recent FRA data showing record safety performance in 2025 across major categories, including the lowest employee injury rate ever," said Ian Jefferies, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads. "Rail safety progress is not accidental, and the House introduction of the Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act represents an important step forward in ensuring that all railroaders are safe when they go to work."

"There's no justification for abusing, threatening or assaulting onboard service workers just doing their job," said John Feltz, Transport Workers Union Railroad Division Director. "No one should have to worry as they head to work that they might wind up in the emergency room or worse. This bill rightly extends federal protection to this vital workforce and should be adopted without delay."

"Our members have been fighting for the same protections that airline personnel already enjoy - specifically, that attacking or threatening a crew member should be treated as a federal crime," said Greg Kocialski, TCU National Secretary Treasurer and 30-year Amtrak employee. "We believe this legislation will give people serious pause before they consider harming passenger rail workers. Speaking for more than 10,000 frontline passenger rail employees, we are proud to lend our support to the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act (PRCPA), and we extend our gratitude to Reps. Gillen and Van Drew for championing the safety and well-being of our members."

"The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen applauds Representatives Laura Gillen and Jeff Van Drew for introducing the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act. 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," said Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and Teamsters Rail Conference President Mark Wallace.

"APTA fully supports the bipartisan Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act and thanks Representatives Gillen and Van Drew for championing this important legislation," said APTA President and CEO, Paul Skoutelas. The men and women who operate our passenger rail system deserve to feel safe at work - and so do the riders they serve. Making the assault of a passenger rail crew member a federal offense is a commonsense step that's long overdue, and we urge Congress to act swiftly."

"As America's largest transportation labor federation, we thank Representatives Gillen and Van Drew for introducing the Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act in the House. This bipartisan legislation would help keep passenger and commuter rail workers safe on the job," said Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. "Passenger and commuter rail trains routinely move through multiple jurisdictions, and these workers deserve the same protections from assaults afforded to flight crew."

The legislation is endorsed by: American Association of Railroads (AAR), SMART-TD, Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), Transportation Communications Union/IAM (TCU), Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLET)-International Brotherhood of Teamsters and UNITE HERE.

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