Bill that would send billions to high-speed rail gains support in the House

High-speed rail would win $205 billion of federal support over five years under a bill introduced last week that's gained 30 co-sponsors, all Democrats, and support from high-speed rail and labor groups.

Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., introduced the American High-Speed Rail Act, H.R. 7600, to invest in the development of a national high-speed corridor system.

High-speed rail "will connect people to more jobs in new places, give Americans freedom and choice in how they travel, and put us on par with the rest of the world," Moulton said in a statement. "This bill is the plan that will get us there."

Bloomberg News

Before joining Congress in 2015, Moulton was director of the Texas Central Railway bullet train project. Dogged by controversy since its proposal in 2014, the Dallas-Houston project saw new life last August when Amtrak partnered with the company.

Texas Central is one of a handful of fledging bullet train proposals in various stages of development. The privately operated Brightline West between southern California and Las Vegas is considered the most advanced project, with hopes to get it online in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Moulton introduced similar bills in 2020 and 2021, both of which stalled, although the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act reportedly included some of their provisions. The IIJA provides money for high-speed rail primarily through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program, which provides $36 billion in advance appropriations through 2026. The competitive grants can be used to upgrade existing rail systems and establish new ones, including privately run lines. The smaller Corridor Identification and Development program funds planning and development of intercity rail services.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has repeatedly expressed support for a national high speed corridor, saying that "seeing would be believing" for skeptical Americans.

Moulton's measure comes on the heels of the White House announcing $8.2 billion for high-speed rail. The grants include $3.1 billion for California's publicly funded train and $3 billion for Brightline West. The California High Speed Rail Authority has said it would seek $8 billion in federal funds over the next five years to fund the 171-mile starter segment connecting Merced with Bakersfield. The recent federal investment also sent smaller grants for 69 projects across 44 states, including $500,000 for Texas Central.

Moulton's bill calls for $41 billion to be invested annually through Federal Railroad Administration grants for planning and development of high-speed rail, defined as at 186 miles-per-hour or higher, and for trains that travel at slightly slower speeds of between 110 and 186 mph. The FTA grants would be based on "equity, resilience, sustainability, economic development potential and climate," according to Moulton's press release. Regions not served by commercial aviation would also be prioritized. "We want to connect towns and cities that have been deserted by airlines and left out of existing transportation options," Moulton said in a post on X.

The legislation calls for additional incentives to generate $38 billion in non-federal funding and incentives for state and local transportation agencies to develop transit-oriented development.

"The growing support for the American High-Speed Rail Act is great news," said Andy Kunz, CEO of the U.S. High Speed Rail Coalition in a statement. The coalition "will work to ensure this bill is front and center when Congress considers the next surface transportation package."

The 30 co-sponsors are all Democrats with no Republicans yet signing on. On his X post, Moulton said the bill has seen "some initial interest from Republican lawmakers – I'm working hard to get them on board too."

In past House transportation hearings, Republicans have expressed cautious support for some bullet trains but have repeatedly singled out the California project for criticism.

The legislation has been referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Ways and Means committees. Moulton sits on the transportation infrastructure committee.