WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 30, 2026 — The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) today applauded the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) for advancing the bipartisan Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act of 2026 (S. 4965), marking an important step toward ensuring the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has the resources needed to provide timely, reliable service to railroad employees, retirees, and their families.
Introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jim Banks (R-IN), and Tim Kaine (D-VA), the legislation reflects broad bipartisan support for strengthening the RRB and improving service for the nation's railroad workforce.
For more than 90 years, the RRB has administered retirement and benefit programs earned by America's railroad workforce. Although the agency is funded through payroll taxes paid by railroad workers and employers, not general taxpayer dollars, years of administrative underfunding have slowed modernization efforts and contributed to service delays.
The Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act would establish a predictable administrative funding mechanism while maintaining congressional oversight. It also provides targeted investments to complete modernization of the RRB's information technology systems, improving efficiency and service for railroad workers, retirees, and their families.
"BRS strongly supports the Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act because our members deserve a Railroad Retirement Board that is equipped to serve them efficiently and effectively," said BRS President Mike Baldwin. "Railroad employees have earned these benefits through a lifetime of work. They deserve a Railroad Retirement Board that can deliver timely, efficient service when they need it most."
"The Railroad Retirement Board already has a dedicated funding source," Baldwin continued. "This legislation gives the agency the predictable administrative funding it needs to modernize its operations and better serve the railroad employees and families who depend on it."
"For years, BRS has worked with members of Congress from both parties to address the Railroad Retirement Board's funding challenges because this issue directly affects the men and women who keep America's railroads operating safely," said Mike Efaw, National Legislative Director of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen. "This legislation recognizes a simple fact: the Railroad Retirement Board should be able to efficiently administer the benefits railroad workers have already paid for. Stable administrative funding will reduce delays, improve customer service, and strengthen confidence in a system that has served railroad families for generations."
BRS commends the bipartisan leadership of Chairman Bill Cassidy, Ranking Member Bernie Sanders, Senator Jim Banks, and Senator Tim Kaine for advancing this important legislation through the Senate HELP Committee and urges Congress to move quickly to approve the bill.
BRS appreciates Chairman Bill Cassidy for his leadership in championing the Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act and guiding the legislation through the committee process. BRS also thanks Ranking Member Bernie Sanders for his continued commitment to protecting the retirement security of railroad workers, Senator Jim Banks for his steadfast advocacy on behalf of America's working men and women, and Senator Tim Kaine for his bipartisan leadership in advancing this important legislation.
BRS especially recognizes Senator Jim Banks' longstanding commitment to advancing policies that strengthen America's working men and women. In his 2021 memorandum to then-House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senator Banks called for a renewed focus on policies that put working Americans first—a principle reflected in the Railroad Retirement Board Stability Act.
"Support for this legislation demonstrates a shared commitment to the men and women who keep America's railroads operating safely every day," Baldwin said. "We appreciate the bipartisan leadership that has brought this bill to this point and encourage Congress to move swiftly to send it to the President's desk."
Founded in 1901, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen represents approximately 10,000 signal employees across the United States. BRS members install, inspect, test, maintain, and repair railroad signal systems, highway-rail grade crossing warning devices, Positive Train Control systems, and other technologies that protect railroad employees, passengers, and the public.
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