Rep. Gillen Secures Key Safety and Worker Wins in House Surface Transportation Reauthorization Package

WASHINGTON, DC — Last week, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) secured several bipartisan wins in the BUILD America 250 Act, the five-year surface transportation reauthorization package that passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a bipartisan 62 to 2 vote. 

In the bill, Rep. Gillen secured two provisions from the bipartisan Drunk Driving Prevention and Enforcement Act, which she introduced with Congressman Lawler (R-NY-17) and Congresswoman Dingel (D-MI-06), to address drunk and drug-involved driving on our roads, along with provisions she authored with Congressman Mackenzie (R-PA-07) and Delegate King-Hinds (R-MP-At Large) to help educate parents about the importance of properly installed and compliant car seats. She also secured bipartisan legislation to improve roadway safety by authorizing the use of federal Surface Transportation Block Grants to replace dangerous intersections with roundabouts, helping reduce traffic collisions and fatalities.

During the Committee markup, she also advocated for bipartisan legislation, including:

• The Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act, which would confront the alarming rise in attacks on rail workers by making it a federal crime to attack a rail worker, ensuring they receive the same protections as airline crews;
• The Safe Tracks Act, which would grant the Federal Railroad Administration greater authority to oversee rail dispatching systems and hold vendors accountable for the safety and reliability of their products; and,
• The Public Access to Defibrillation in Transportation Facilities Act, led by Congressman Van Drew, which would make life-saving defibrillation technology more accessible in transportation hubs like rest stops and bus terminals, saving lives. 

Rep. Gillen continues to push for common-sense legislation that prioritizes the safety and well-being of Americans on the roads and throughout the nation’s transportation system. She remains committed to advancing policies that improve infrastructure, strengthen public safety and reduce traffic fatalities so communities have access to reliable and modern transportation options.

(Remarks as prepared for delivery)

On Legislation Secured In Base Text

“I am especially grateful that this package includes several bipartisan pieces of legislation I have authored focused on traffic safety and saving lives.” 

“My bipartisan bill, the CAR SEAT Act, which I introduced with Delegate Kind-Hinds and Congressman Mackenzie, will ensure that parents have the education and resources they need to identify and avoid these dangerous products and give states the tools to keep every child safe on the road.” 

“The bill also includes two provisions from my bipartisan Drunk Driving Prevention and Enforcement Act, which I introduced with Congressman Lawler and Congresswoman Dingell, to address drunk and drug-involved driving on our roads.” 

On Roundabouts Amendment

“There is a serious car crash every seven minutes on Long Island. As a Member of this Committee, I am proud to advocate on behalf of Nassau County residents to make our roads safer by investing in infrastructure that prioritizes safety, not speed.” 

“I am glad that the managers amendment includes my bipartisan, commonsense amendment to codify the eligibility of roundabout construction for the surface transportation block grant program. This provision will help states and localities improve safety and substantially reduce car crashes by improving traffic flow, easing congestion and promoting safer driving.” 

On Rail Crew Protection Amendment

“In 2025, Amtrak recorded nearly 200 assaults on conductors, assistant conductors, ticket agents, customer service representatives, and other workers. In the course of their normal duties, passenger rail employees across the country continue to experience assaults.”

“Under current law, any assault against a rail crewmember is subject to the local jurisdiction in which the assault occurred. Intercity trains can pass through and service dozens of jurisdictions, each with its own law enforcement and justice system. As a result, if an assault occurs aboard a moving train, it can be extremely difficult or impossible to prosecute offenders.”

“For decades, it’s been a federal crime to interfere with flight crews. My amendment will provide this same protection to our rail workers so that they can do their jobs without fear and focus on running trains safely and efficiently.”

On Railway Dispatch Amendment

“Railroads use computer-based dispatch systems to move and coordinate train traffic, and to provide protection to employees working on the tracks. New dispatching systems and updates to existing software are currently implemented without any oversight, testing, or regulation by the FRA.” 

“When software problems are identified, the vendors who build the systems are often slow to offer fixes. This forces the train dispatchers responsible for operating these systems to troubleshoot the technology under live conditions and use workarounds until safety defects are corrected.”

“My commonsense amendment would grant the FRA the authority they need to conduct oversight of rail dispatching systems, keep our tracks safe, and hold vendors accountable for their products’ safety and reliability.” 

On AED Amendment 

“Each year, tens of thousands of Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest in public spaces. By making sure AEDs are on hand in busy transportation hubs across America, we can save lives.”

“This amendment, which is modeled off of legislation that Congressman Van Drew and I introduced last year, would direct the Departments of Transportation and Health and Human Services to issue guidelines for AED placement and emergency response planning in transportation hubs such as rail and bus terminals and highway rest areas. It would also allow states to use existing transportation grant funding to help pay for AEDs and emergency response planning in public spaces.”

###