Freights First Act

Bill: 119-hr-4756
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7]
Introduced: 2025-07-25
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-07-25
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Freights First Act</strong></p><p>This bill eliminates Amtrak's preference over freight transportation in using a rail line, junction, or crossing if such rail line, junction, or crossing is located within 50 miles of a port or rail yard. Currently, Amtrak's priority status does not apply if there is&nbsp;an emergency.</p>

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4756 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 25, 2025 Mr. Burlison (for himself, Mr. Perry , and Ms. Hageman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to limit the preference for Amtrak using rail lines, junctions, and crossings near ports and rail yards, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Freights First Act . 2. Limitation of preference for Amtrak Section 24308(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking Except in an emergency and inserting the following: (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2) or in an emergency ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (2) Limitation of preference Intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation provided by or for Amtrak shall not have preference over freight transportation in using a rail line, junction, or crossing if such rail line, junction, or crossing is located within 50 miles of a port or rail yard. .