Bill · S. 2520· Senate(119-S-2520)
All Aboard Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 7/29/2025
- Last activity
- 7/29/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- - 9 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "All Aboard Act of 2025" aims to improve and expand rail services in the United States. It establishes a State rail formula grant program, directs the Federal Railroad Administration to create a Green Railroads Fund, expands passenger rail programs, addresses air quality concerns, and establishes rail workforce training centers. The bill allocates significant funding over a 5-year period to achieve these goals.
Yes· 3 of 37
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?+9
The bill focuses on expanding and improving rail infrastructure, a key component of public transit.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+8
The bill promotes rail electrification and zero-emission locomotives, which would significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The Green Railroads Fund and rail air pollution grant program will improve environmental quality, particularly in environmental justice communities.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-3
The bill significantly increases government spending on rail infrastructure and programs.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-2
The bill's high level of spending may raise concerns about fiscal responsibility.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The bill authorizes significant spending, which could potentially increase the national debt.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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State Rail Formula Funding (SEC. 3): This establishes a formula grant program for states to develop rail plans, operate rail service, and maintain/expand rail infrastructure. This could lead to improved rail service and infrastructure in states, making travel easier and more efficient for people.
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Green Railroads Fund (SEC. 4): This creates a competitive grant program to enable or improve electrified rail operations. The plan includes a public notice process with opportunities for public meetings and comments (SEC. 4(b)(2)(A)). This could improve air quality, especially in environmental justice communities (SEC. 4(f)(1)), and reduce health issues related to air pollution.
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Expansion of Passenger Rail and High-Performance Rail (SEC. 5): This section allocates significant funding to expand passenger rail programs. It gives priority to projects that install or upgrade infrastructure that will enable high-performance passenger rail. This would give people an alternative to short-haul flights.
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Rail Air Pollution Grant Program (SEC. 6): This establishes a grant program to address air pollution generated by railyards. This could improve air quality in communities near railyards, leading to better health outcomes for residents.
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Labor Protections and Workforce Development (SEC. 7): This establishes passenger and freight rail workforce training centers. It helps workers with skills gaps to get training, and can assist with career advancement, especially with zero-emission technologies (SEC. 7(d)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Transition Plans and Workforce Displacement (SEC. 4(b)(2)(D) and SEC. 5(b)(4)): While the bill includes transition plans to avoid workforce displacement as rail infrastructure is updated, there is still a potential risk of job losses for some rail workers.
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Increased Infrastructure Development: The bill focuses on the expansion of rail infrastructure, that has the potential to cause disruption in local communities where the new infrastructure is being constructed.
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Potential Burdens on Businesses: The bill could impose additional requirements, potentially leading to increased costs for businesses involved in rail operations or construction.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+5Good For Urban Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For People With Disabilities+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Young Adults+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Children+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Retirees+3Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Students+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Farmers+2Good For Native Americans+2Good For High Income Households+1Good For Immigrants+1Good For Men+1Good For White Americans+1Good For Women+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+9Reduces Carbon Emissions+8Improves Environmental Protections+7Increases Renewable Energy Investment+5Improves Rural Development+3Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+3Reduces Gas Prices+1
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+4Improves Union Protections+3Improves Small Business Support+2Reduces Government Spending-3Improves Fiscal Responsibility-2Reduces Inflation-1Reduces National Debt-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Interstate Commerce+3Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+2
- 9/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts