Schakowsky Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Restore Equity to Railroad Unemployment Program

Press Release

EVANSTON -- Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and a senior member of the House Budget Committee, introduced legislation to remove sequestration constraints on the unemployment insurance program for railroad employees. The Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act is being introduced with a group of 5 bipartisan original co-sponsors; Representatives Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (IL-04), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), and Don Bacon (NE-02).

"For too long, railroaders and their families have been singled out and prevented from receiving full and fair unemployment benefits," said Congresswoman Schakowsky. "And this is all because of an arbitrary budget limitation. I am proud to lead the common-sense and bipartisan Railroad Employee Equality and Fairness (REEF) Act in the House to restore equity to the railroad unemployment insurance program by permanently removing it from the impacts of budget sequestration. Our workers are still facing enormous challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic and many railroad workers have lost their jobs. We must pass the REEF Act swiftly, and ensure that they have access to the same full unemployment benefits as all Americans."

Text of the legislation is available HERE.

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