United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 2726 (108th)
National Defense Rail Act
Introduced
15 July 2003
Last action
16 July 2003 · Referred
Status
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.
Sponsors
Rep. Carson, Julia [D-IN-7], Rep. McIntyre, Mike [D-NC-7], Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7], Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10], Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-12], Rep. Owens, Major R. [D-NY-11], Rep. Evans, Lane [D-IL-17]
Subjects
Defence, Environment, Transport
Source updated
18 August 2025
Defence · Environment · Transport
Summary
National Defense Rail Act - Requires studies or assessments of: (1) security risks associated with freight and intercity passenger rail transportation; (2) security priorities; (3) rail crossing delay security issues; (4) existing rail safety regulations; (5) foreign rail transport security programs; and (6) the feasibility of passenger, baggage, and cargo screening. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) establish a national high-speed ground transportation policy; and (2) provide 100 percent financial assistance to develop and implement high-speed rail corridors according to designated priorities, including the elimination of hazards of high-speed railway-highway crossings. Requires such projects to comply with Buy American and competitive bidding requirements, and specified labor standards, including the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act. Defines the national rail passenger transportation system. Authorizes Amtrak to operate an intercity rail service or route not included in such system. Declares that nothing in this Act is intended to preclude Amtrak from restoring, improving, or developing non-high-speed intercity passenger rail service. Repeals the requirement that Amtrak be self-sufficient. Authorizes additional appropriations for Amtrak for retirement of principal and interest on its debt service, and for improving accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities, including compliance with environmental regulations. Authorizes appropriations for the Northeast Corridor, long and short distance trains, and State-supported routes. Directs the Secretary to re-establish the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee. Revises requirements concerning the Amtrak board of directors. Requires an independent audit of Amtrak operations and the development of a five-year financial plan. Revises requirements of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 concerning loans and loan guarantees. Directs the Secretary to establish a rail passenger cooperative research program, including an advisory board.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
15 July 2003
Introduced
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Source: IntroReferral
15 July 2003
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
15 July 2003
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
16 July 2003
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads.
Source: Committee
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Introduced in House · 15 July 2003 · Download file
Documents
3 official files
Introduced in House (text)
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 15 July 2003
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 15 July 2003
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 15 July 2003
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Sponsors
- Rep. Carson, Julia [D-IN-7] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. McIntyre, Mike [D-NC-7] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] · D · Sponsor
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-12] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Owens, Major R. [D-NY-11] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Evans, Lane [D-IL-17] · D · Cosponsor
- · hspw00 · Standing
Related records
- related to ← National Defense Rail Act
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/2726
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/108/hr/2726
- us · 108-hr-2726 · source updated 18 August 2025