Washington, D.C. – On May 1, 2024, representatives from the ATDA and other Rail Labor organizations took part in over 100 legislation-focused meetings with members of Congress and their staffs at Railroad Safety Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C. The ATDA’s team for the event included President Ed Dowell, Vice President Brandon Denucci, Vice President Barry Cross, Vice President Colin Thurman, CSX System Committee General Chairman Ben Craft, and Executive Assistant to the President David Ursini. After splitting up for the day-long event, each ATDA representative took part in rapid fire meetings with the following Congressional representatives (or their staff members) from both the Democrat and Republican political parties:
Sen. Brown (D) Ohio
Sen. Vance (R) Ohio
Sen. Peters (D) Michigan
Sen. Cornyn (R) Texas
Rep. Pappas (D) New Hampshire
Rep. Steube (R) Florida
Rep. Thompson (R) Pennsylvania
Rep. Carter (R) Texas
Rep. Wenstrup (R) Ohio
Rep. Meuser (R) Pennsylvania
Rep. McCaul (R) Texas
Rep. Wilson (D) Florida
Rep. Balderson (R) Ohio
Rep. Bergman (R) Michigan
Rep. Joyce (R) Ohio
Rep. Fitzpatrick (R) Pennsylvania
Rep. Miller (R) Ohio
Rep. Kelly (R) Pennsylvania
Rep. Rutherford (R) Florida
Rep. Dunn (R) Florida
Rep. Latta (R) Ohio
Rep. Mast (R) Florida
Rep. Carey (R) Ohio
Rep. Diaz-Balart (R) Florida
Rep. Ezell (R) Mississippi
Rep. Joyce (R) Pennsylvania
Rep. Bean (R) Florida
Additionally, ATDA took part in one meet & greet, with Rep. Pelosi, (D) California
More than empty formalities, the meetings provided a real opportunity for ATDA to directly seek Lawmaker support for important rail safety legislation. Among the bills discussed was the REEF Act, which aims to ensure that railroad employees receive full benefits when out with unemployment or sickness. The Railway Safety Act was also a point of focus, as it codifies common sense rail safety measures into law. Other included points of conversation were the Reliable Rail Service Act, the Healthy Families Act, the Railway Accountability Act, and the Rail Worker and Community Safety Act.
ATDA’s spirited participation in this event is the latest example of its commitment to make its members’ voices heard while fighting for both their safety and their livelihood.
CSX System Committee General Chairman Ben Craft (left), Representative Nancy Pelosi (D) California (middle), and ATDA Executive Assistant to the President David Ursini (right).