Press Releases

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Seth Moulton (MA-06) introduced the American High Speed Rail Act, which would invest $200 billion over five years to build a world-class high-speed passenger rail system.

This legislation lays out a comprehensive foundation for America’s rail resurgence and would put the United States on par with nations in Europe and Asia that have long led the world in modern rail travel. It standardizes definitions for high-speed rail (186+ mph) and higher-speed rail (110-186 mph), establishes robust public-private partnership frameworks to maximize federal investment, and targets grants to projects that deliver equity, resilience, sustainability, and economic development for the communities they serve. 

The bill also expands transit-oriented development incentives to grow affordable housing and spur commercial development around new rail hubs. It also streamlines project delivery by eliminating expenditure timelines, modernizing labor protections, and directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to fast-track performance-based safety regulations for advanced technologies already proven in global markets. 

“This legislation marks a transformative step toward creating a more connected, sustainable, and prosperous future for all Americans,” said DelBene. “By investing in a national high-speed rail network, we are not only alleviating strain on our highways and airports and creating safer communities, but we are also strengthening productivity and lowering carbon emissions. An expanded high-speed rail system would have an incredible value in the Pacific Northwest, connecting key population centers from Vancouver to Portland and beyond.”

“America deserves the same world-class high-speed rail system that other countries across the globe have had now for decades,” said Moulton. “This isn’t just about improving convenience, it’s about creating smart, business-driven investment that will create millions of good-paying jobs, connect communities big and small, fight climate change, and ensure America leads the way in the infrastructure of the future.”

The text of the legislation can be found here.