Padilla Pushes Legislation to Transform California’s Rail Network, Reduce Train Pollution

All Aboard Act dedicates $200 billion over five years to build transportation system of the future

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.-17) in introducing the All Aboard Act, legislation that would dedicate $200 billion over five years to build high-performance rail, expand existing passenger rail service, and electrify the most heavily polluting railyards and corridors. The legislation includes critical labor protections for the existing union labor workforce and creates a rail personnel training grant program for rail workers.

The investments made under the All Aboard Act would transform California’s railway infrastructure, including the 351-mile Los Angeles–San Diego–San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor, the second busiest intercity passenger rail corridor in the nation.

“Investing in modern, low-emission trains keeps passengers and goods moving across our nation while protecting the air we breathe,” said Senator Padilla. “California is leading the way to slash harmful locomotive emissions, and we must expand our high-performance and reliable rail infrastructure built by skilled union workers.”

“The All Aboard Act would build the high-speed transportation system of the future and do it with union labor,” said Senator Markey. “By investing billions in America’s rail network, we can drive down emissions, make our communities more connected, and create union jobs. That is a future all Americans are on board with.” 

“In 2025, the people of this great country should have a rail system that is safe, fast, affordable, and keeps the economy moving,” said Representative Deluzio. “I am proud to join with Senator Markey to introduce the All Aboard Act to make transformational investments, like electrification, in the United States rail network. This bill will make American passenger and freight rail a lot safer and cleaner, slash road traffic, and invest in the rail workers who make it all happen.” 

In addition to Senator Padilla, the legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).  

This legislation is supported by a broad coalition of labor, transportation, and environmental groups, including the Transportation and Trades Division of the AFL-CIO, The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED), The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BLET), Teamsters Rail Conference, Transport Workers Union (TWU), International Association of Machinists (IAM), United Electrical Workers (UE), Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation (SMART-Transportation), Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation Mechanical Division (SMART-Mechanical), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB), the Transportation Communications Union (TCU), Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Green New Deal Network, Solutionary Rail, the Moving Forward Network, Earthjustice, The Rail Passengers Association, Transportation for America, and the Union of Concerned Scientists. 

Specifically, the All Aboard Act would: 

• Expand Passenger Rail and High-Performance Rail. The All Aboard Act would invest $150 billion over five years across several successful rail grant programs established or expanded in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Specifically, the bill provides $80 billion to the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail, $30 billion to the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety Improvement program, $30 billion for Amtrak, and $10 billion for the Railroad Crossing Elimination program. 

• Establish a Green Railroad Fund. The All Aboard Act would create a new Green Railway Fund that would dedicate $50 billion over five years to electrify highly polluting rail yards, support electric high-performance passenger rail projects, and electrify the existing highest trafficked corridors by freight and passenger trains. With these funds, the U.S. rail network will take a lesson from many countries that have already fully electrified their train system, reducing air pollution in many frontline communities and driving down emissions from transportation.  

• Create a Dedicated Rail Formula Program. The All Aboard Act would create a first-of-its-kind, $3.5 billion rail formula program for states to perform rail planning, maintenance, operations, and capital investment. Although states can rely on regular formula funding to expand highways, federal investments in rail come only through competitive grants. States need regular, reliable funding to plan for and execute a more robust rail network.  

• Address Air Pollution from Railyards. The All Aboard Act would provide $500 million in grants under the Clean Air Act to address air pollution from railyards in frontline communities. Like other modes of transportation, air pollution from diesel-powered locomotives caused disproportionate harm in environmental justice communities. This investment is a down payment on addressing that harm. 

• Invest in the Rail Workforce. The All Aboard Act recognizes that the rail workforce is the backbone of a safe, efficient rail network and would invest $300 million over five years to establish freight and passenger rail training centers. These centers would be run in partnership with organized labor and provide the training and development necessary to deliver the rail network of the future. 

Senator Padilla has secured hundreds of millions in federal funding to strengthen California’s rail infrastructure, bolstering modern and sustainable rail transit. In the last two years, he has announced approximately $530 million from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and capacity on key rail routes across the state. Last year, Padilla announced $53.9 million in federal funding for improvements to the San Dieguito River Railway Bridge, which lies along the LOSSAN corridor.