The Transportation Communications Union/IAM applauds the bipartisan efforts of House Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-IL) and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) in introducing an extension of the deadline to install Positive Train Control (PTC) on our nation’s railways. Their proposed legislation contrasts with the Senate’s proposal by including reporting requirements and an enforceable
In the aftermath of recent incidents on our nation’s railways – including the deadly derailment of the Amtrak Northeast Regional outside Philadelphia – lawmakers and the general public have been pushing for increased safety. Front-and-center in this debate has been the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) systems to our nation’s railroads. In 2008, Congress
On September 14, National President Bob Scardelletti wrote a letter to all members of the House of Representatives opposing any increase in weight limitations for trucks. An increase would unfairly and unnecessarily threaten the freight railroad industry and our members who help run the nation’s most efficient, cost-effective, and greenest mode of transportation. Read National
On Monday, July 27th, TCU National Vice President and Legislative Director Ron Kloos joined John Risch of the SMART Transportation Division in asking the U.S. Senate to support a revised deadline for rail carriers to implement Positive Train Control (PTC). The letter asks Senators not to allow a PTC extension to derail a potential long-term
As Congress heads home for the month of August they are again “kicking the can” – this time on the Surface Transportation (“Highway”) bill. While the Senate passed its version of the bill, the House of Representatives has refused to bring up the legislation before going on vacation. Now, instead of passing a 6-year authorization
In a letter to Congress, the President of the Transportation Trades Department (TTD), of which TCU is a member stated: “On behalf of the TTD , I write to express our opposition to S. 1732, the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act of 2015 and urge you to vote against it during markup.” “This is
Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), of which TCU is a member, issued a statement on the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act of 2015, introduced by Sen. John Thune (R-SD). President Wytkind said, “At a time when our country’s transportation infrastructure is failing and disenfranchised Americans are desperate for work,
Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), of which TCU is a member, issued a statement on the consideration of the Amtrak Reauthorization bill: “We applaud Senators Roger Wicker and Cory Booker for working in a bipartisan fashion to craft a sensible Amtrak Reauthorization bill that will be considered by the Commerce
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a nearly $55.7 billion bill funding the Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development for the next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. The Senate version of the bill to fund transportation and housing programs would provide Amtrak with nearly $1.4 billion next year, much more than the amount
Since June, 2015, David Arouca has served as a Legislative Assistant in TCU’s Legislative Department’s headquarters in Rockville, MD. Dave brings deep experience in legislative and political affairs to TCU, from both on and off the Hill. Dave began his career in DC in the Office of Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and the House Democratic
