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Bills/119th Congress · House

H.R. 4756

Introduced

Freights First Act

Sponsor
REric Burlison· Missouri
Introduced
July 25, 2025
Policy area
Transportation and Public Works
Latest action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.July 26, 2025
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4756 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4756

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

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.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Freights First Act''.

SEC. 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.''.
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