In a bipartisan push for rail safety, four U.S. representatives introduced the Railway Safety Act of 2025 on the second anniversary of the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment. The bill builds on previous efforts and aims to enhance oversight of rail safety recommendations, improve emergency notifications, mitigate derailment risks, and require additional safety measures for hazardous materials transport.

Rail labor leaders, including BRS President Mike Baldwin, joined lawmakers in a media call supporting the bill. Baldwin highlighted the need for federal funding to install safety signals at unprotected grade crossings, particularly in rural areas, and advocated for regulations requiring hotbox detectors and other technology to identify wheel and bearing defects before they cause derailments.

“There are many grade crossings that are in curves or blind spots, in many instances they are in rural areas, that are not protected by a system that would warn [auto vehicle drivers] of an approaching train,” Baldwin said. “The problem we see with [improving safety at such crossings] is it’s a funding issue.”

The legislation faces strong opposition from industry lobbyists, but lawmakers and labor leaders insist the time for action is long overdue.

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