The American Prospect reported that on August 13, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) officially disbanded all its advisory committees—including the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC)—citing a need for “a refresh” and critiquing members’ focus on DEI and climate issues The American Prospect.

This move has raised serious concerns among labor groups, including the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS). BRS President Michael Baldwin noted, “It’s been pretty quiet, and I’d say nonfunctioning for at least a year.” The American Prospect He warned that without these collaborative oversight committees, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) could default to writing regulations without meaningful input—especially troubling when safety recommendations remain unresolved. The American Prospect