Bill Summary
This bill, known as the "Protection of American Jobs in Cross-Border Rail Operations With Mexico Act," aims to amend title 49 of the United States Code to restrict the operation of trains within the United States that originate in Mexico to only citizens or nationals of the United States. This bill is in response to the fact that Mexico currently prohibits Americans from serving as crew members on trains in their country, and that Mexican rail safety laws and regulations are not as strict as those in the United States. By implementing this restriction, the bill aims to protect American rail workers' jobs, ensure the safety of those living and working near cross-border rail tracks, and promote fair labor conditions. The bill also requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations for the implementation of this restriction within 180 days of its enactment.
Possible Impacts
1. Restricting employment opportunities for Mexican nationals in the railroad industry: This legislation would prohibit Mexican nationals from operating trains within the United States, limiting their ability to work in this specific field.
2. Protecting American jobs: The bill aims to protect the jobs of American rail workers by ensuring that only citizens or nationals of the United States can operate trains originating in Mexico. This may lead to limited competition for these jobs, potentially benefiting American workers.
3. Ensuring safety in cross-border rail operations: By requiring that trains originating in Mexico be operated by American crews, this legislation seeks to promote safer labor conditions for American citizens living and working near railroad tracks used for cross-border operations with Mexico.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3896 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3896
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide that only citizens or
nationals of the United States may operate trains within the United
States that originate in Mexico.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 23, 2019
Mr. Lipinski (for himself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide that only citizens or
nationals of the United States may operate trains within the United
States that originate in Mexico.
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 ``Protection of American Jobs in
Cross-Border Rail Operations With Mexico Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The country of Mexico prohibits Americans from serving
as crews on railroad trains in Mexico.
(2) The rail safety laws and regulations of Mexico, and the
requirements for certification of Mexican railroad operating
crews, are far less stringent than those of the United States.
(3) A reciprocal restriction on Mexican nationals crewing
trains in the United States will protect the work and jobs of
American rail workers, protect the safety of Americans living
and working in proximity to railroad tracks in the United
States that are used for cross-border rail operations with
Mexico, and promote otherwise fair and equitable labor
conditions.
SEC. 3. CREW REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINS ORIGINATING IN MEXICO.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 201 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 20169. Crew requirements for trains originating in Mexico
``Trains originating in Mexico may only be operated in the United
States by crews comprised entirely of citizens or nationals of the
United States.''.
(b) Regulations Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue
such regulations as are necessary to carry out the amendments made by
this Act.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for subchapter II
of chapter 201 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``20169. Crew requirements for trains originating in Mexico.''.
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