Reps. Schneider, LaHood Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support U.S. Freight Railcar Manufacturing and Sustain Jobs

DEERFIELD, IL – Today, U.S. Reps. Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) and Darin LaHood (R-IL-18) reintroduced legislation that will incentivize investment in safer, greener freight railcar manufacturing in the United States. The legislation will retain American jobs through the pandemic and ensure the sustainability of the North American steel and rail components supply chain.

The bill, known as the "Freight Rail Assistance and Investment to Launch Coronavirus-era Activity and Recovery Act" or the "Freight RAILCAR Act," will offer tax credits to encourage the adoption of new, more efficient, environmentally-friendly freight railcars. The legislation comes as demand for new railcars has plummeted amid the COVID-19 pandemic and thousands of workers have been laid off in response to increasingly dire economic circumstances for the freight railcar manufacturing industry.

"Rail is integral to our state's—and our nation's—economy," said Rep. Brad Schneider. "As this industry faces historic downturn amid the current economic uncertainty, our legislation would help modernize America's fleet while spurring economic demand, on top of environmental and public safety benefits."

"The Freight RAILCAR Act will spur job growth in the freight rail manufacturing sector, creating opportunities to invest in critical freight rail infrastructure, and strengthen our transportation system as we work to recover from COVID-19," said Rep. LaHood. "I am proud to join my colleague from Illinois, Rep. Schneider, to reintroduce our bill that will support thousands of jobs in the United States."

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