Legislators introduce bill to tighten rail security at U.S.-Mexico border

U.S. Reps. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Lance Gooden (R-Texas) last week introduced a bill aimed at tightening security during train crew changes and inspections at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Protecting American Railroad Workers' Jobs Act (H.R. 8468) would prohibit non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents from operating trains across the southern border and propose new guidelines for decreasing inspection delays.

Frequent delayed inspections have led the Federal Railroad Administration to grant more waivers for crew changes and inspections to take place after trains have already crossed into the United States, officials from Pappas' office said in a press release. The delayed inspections and crew changes increase opportunities for drug smuggling, they added.

The bipartisan legislation is supported by the Teamsters Rail Conference and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).

"In repeated visits to the southern border, I heard one consistent message from BLET members: Railroad jobs in America should be done by Americans," said Mark Wallace, president of TRC and BLET. "This legislation reflects that commonsense principle and will strengthen job security for BLET members while reinforcing proper oversight of cross-border rail operations." 

The legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill's full text can be viewed here.