Labor Caucus Urges the Reinstatement of Transportation Safety Committees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Labor Caucus Vice-Chairs Reps. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), John Garamendi (CA-08), Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Co-Chairs Reps. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) led 46 House Democrats in a letter urging Secretary of Transportation Duffy to reinstate federal transportation advisory committees and terminated members. The Representatives also requested a response to a series of oversight questions.

“We urge the Department to immediately reconstitute these critical committees and reinstate all labor representatives and safety advocates,” wrote the lawmakers. “These committees play a critical role in engaging frontline worker perspectives and ensuring public transparency. Many of these committees are the only forum where agency, industry, and labor representatives can convene in a structured manner. It is critical that workers directly impacted by transportation safety issues retain a seat at the table.”

“It is our understanding that the Department has cited lapses in committee meetings as justification for terminating members and suspending committees,” continued the lawmakers. “However, we remind the Department that the authority to convene meetings rests solely with each modal agency, not the committee members. Committee members serve voluntarily and have repeatedly expressed their desire to meet regularly. Notably, just two days before the Department issued termination notices, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen sent a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration, urging them to convene the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, which had not met in 10 months.”

“The importance of these advisory committees and the perspective labor representatives bring cannot be overstated. We urge you to honor your oath of office and uphold the Department’s mission to prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries and protect the safety of every American who relies on our transportation system,” concluded the lawmakers.

A full copy of the letter can be found here. The letter was signed by 46 House Democrats.