Protecting American Railroad Workers’ Jobs Act of 2026

Sponsor: Chris Pappas (Democratic-NH)April 23, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

American railroad workers would get exclusive jobs operating freight trains after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

This bill would require freight trains coming from Mexico to stop at the U.S. border for a crew change and safety checks. After crossing, only American citizens or legal residents with U.S.-based jobs would be allowed to operate these trains. This aims to protect jobs for U.S. railroad workers by ensuring they handle the domestic leg of cross-border freight routes.

What Would Change

Currently, there are no specific federal rules requiring freight trains from Mexico to stop at the U.S. border for a crew change. There are also no rules mandating who can operate them after crossing. This bill would change that by requiring these stops and ensuring only U.S. citizens or authorized residents operate the trains within the United States.

Key Provisions

Requires freight trains crossing from Mexico into the U.S. to stop at the southern border.
Mandates a crew change and federally required safety testing for these trains at the border stop.
Ensures only U.S. citizens or legal residents authorized to work in the U.S. operate these trains after crossing the border.
Requires these U.S. operators to have their main work location in the U.S. and not work for the railroad while outside the U.S.

View on Congress.gov

HR 8468 · 119th Congress · April 23, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

Protecting American Railroad Workers’ Jobs Act of 2026

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity