Members of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on July 31 considered Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) legislation, which funds the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), National Mediation Board (NMB), and Department of Labor (DOL).
That bill sets the funding limit for the RRB’s operations for this upcoming federal fiscal year at $126 million. That compares to President Trump’s request of $126 million, considerably less than the RRB’s request of $170.615 million.
All of rail labor, including BLET, and the Association of American Railroads (AAR), which represents the Class I railroads, are supportive of the RRB’s request of $170.615 million.
The House Appropriations Committee has not yet released its LHHS appropriations legislation or the proposed funding level for the RRB. However, last year, the House Appropriations Committee proposed a $25 million cut, which would have been devastating to the RRB and jeopardized its ability to serve BLET’s membership and other rail workers.
The next steps in this process are for the House and Senate to merge their appropriations bills by the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30.
It’s anticipated that the House Appropriations Committee will call for deep cuts this year. BLET members are urged to act now to stop this drain on the RRB’s resources.
Your voice matters. If members of Congress hear from their constituents on the importance of the RRB, it’s more likely that the RRB will get the higher requested amount for administrative expenses it needs to serve rail workers and retirees.
Below is a link to a Take Action alert that allows BLET members to email their Senators and Representatives regarding the importance of the RRB. We urge you to take action by sending this pre-written letter to your Representative and having your voice heard.
Click here to Take Action: https://ble-t.org/take-action/#/22
