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2026 Legislative Resources

Rail Passengers Association Fiscal Year 2027 Legislative Grant Request

The Rail Passengers Association is encouraging Congress to sustain these levels of investment in rail and transit in FY27 to enable local governments to continue this critical work. Predictable funding levels are essential to ensure that these projects reach completion and deliver the reliable, frequent, and connected rail service Congress intended. With the advanced appropriations passed as part of the IIJA set to expire, the annual appropriations process will play a central role in ensuring that this work continues.

For that reason, we are asking that Congress reject the cuts to Amtrak and other passenger rail programs operations outlined in the Presidential FY27 Budget Request.

Read our FY2027 Legislative Grant Request

Read the bipartisan letter urging the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation to provide full funding for Amtrak and passenger rail programs at levels authorized under the bipartisan IIJA in FY2027, signed by a group of 116 Members of Congress.

Rail Passengers Association Surface Transportation Reauthorization Blueprint

As Congress prepares to develop legislation that will succeed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Rail Passengers Association has assembled a list of programs, policy reforms, funding proposals that we believe will speed project delivery, support State- and private sector-led corridor develeopment, and strengthen Amtrak's network nationwide.

Read our 2026 Rail Reauthorization Blueprint one-pager.

You can also check out the full version of our 2026 Rail Reauthorization Blueprint, which includes draft legislative language.

Rail Supply Institute: Economic Impact of the U.S. Rail Supply Industry

The Rail Supply Institute's 2026 report provides a snapshot of the rail supply industry’s economic footprint, which supports more than 900,000 American jobs and contributes $127 billion to U.S. GDP.

RSI also provides a state-by-state breakdown.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Already Advancing Critical Projects

Increased infrastructure investment provided in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)—in combination with annual appropriations approved by Congress—is already resulting in tangible improvements to the U.S. rail network and national rail fleet. The IIJA has already invested $53 billion across 594 projects that will improve rail safety and expand passenger rail travel in 48 states.

Rail Passengers has assembled a list of select passenger rail projects and corridors that are already seeing work funded by IIJA rail programs.

2026 Issue One-Pagers

Economic Benefits: A Connected America is not only good for passengers but good for America’s cities and towns, an economic engine in the communities it serves.

Environmental Benefits: Modern passenger rail can carry large numbers of people further, faster, and more efficiently than ever before.

National Network & Rural Mobility: Amtrak’s National Network forms the foundation of passenger rail service in the U.S., bringing economically viable mobility to rural areas and small towns.

FAQ: Privatization and Profitability in Passenger Rail: Responding to common myths and misconceptions about subsidies and privatization across the U.S. transportation system.