As the Senate considers the latest reconciliation bill, workers across the transportation industry are watching closely because their paychecks could be affected.

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, alongside the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), is urging lawmakers to support Amendment #2613, introduced by Senator Maria Cantwell. This amendment provides a necessary fix to a flawed provision in the current bill that would exclude hundreds of thousands of transportation professionals from receiving a new federal tax deduction on their overtime pay.

Under the bill as it currently stands, only workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) would be eligible for the deduction. However, many transportation workers—such as railroaders, pilots, flight attendants, seafarers, and truckers—are not covered by FLSA due to their classification under other labor laws like the Railway Labor Act. Senator Cantwell’s amendment would expand eligibility to include these workers, ensuring they are not unfairly excluded based on how their work is regulated.

The proposed language defines “qualified overtime compensation” in a way that includes:

• Overtime worked under FLSA provisions,

• Collective bargaining agreements that require overtime after 40 hours in a 7-day work period,

• Agreements under the Railway Labor Act that provide for premium pay after scheduled hours or monthly hour maximums.

This amendment is not only about fairness. It is about recognizing the structure of labor in the transportation sector and ensuring that those who keep the country moving are treated equitably.

We encourage members and allies to contact their senators and urge them to vote YES on Amendment #2613.