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Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act

USA119th CongressS-4572| Senate 
| Updated: 5/19/2026
Richard Blumenthal

Richard Blumenthal

Democratic Senator

Connecticut

Cosponsors (10)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act," amends title 49 of the United States Code to prohibit Amtrak from enforcing predispute arbitration agreements and predispute joint-action waivers with its customers. The primary purpose is to ensure that customers retain their right to resolve consumer and civil rights disputes, including those involving personal injuries, through traditional legal channels rather than being forced into arbitration. Specifically, the legislation defines consumer disputes to include all claims related to personal injuries and civil rights disputes as those arising from alleged violations of constitutional or anti-discrimination laws based on protected characteristics. It explicitly states that any predispute arbitration agreement or predispute joint-action waiver will be deemed invalid and unenforceable for these types of disputes between Amtrak and its customers. Furthermore, the bill mandates that a court, not an arbitrator, will determine the applicability and enforceability of these agreements, ensuring judicial oversight. This measure takes effect upon enactment and applies to all disputes arising thereafter, excluding those covered by the Railway Labor Act.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3400
Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3082
Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5238
Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act
May 19, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-8888
Introduced in House
May 19, 2026
Introduced in Senate
May 19, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3400
    Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3082
    Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5238
    Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act


  • May 19, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-8888
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 19, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act

USA119th CongressS-4572| Senate 
| Updated: 5/19/2026
This bill, titled the "Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act," amends title 49 of the United States Code to prohibit Amtrak from enforcing predispute arbitration agreements and predispute joint-action waivers with its customers. The primary purpose is to ensure that customers retain their right to resolve consumer and civil rights disputes, including those involving personal injuries, through traditional legal channels rather than being forced into arbitration. Specifically, the legislation defines consumer disputes to include all claims related to personal injuries and civil rights disputes as those arising from alleged violations of constitutional or anti-discrimination laws based on protected characteristics. It explicitly states that any predispute arbitration agreement or predispute joint-action waiver will be deemed invalid and unenforceable for these types of disputes between Amtrak and its customers. Furthermore, the bill mandates that a court, not an arbitrator, will determine the applicability and enforceability of these agreements, ensuring judicial oversight. This measure takes effect upon enactment and applies to all disputes arising thereafter, excluding those covered by the Railway Labor Act.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3400
Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3082
Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-5238
Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act
May 19, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-8888
Introduced in House
May 19, 2026
Introduced in Senate
May 19, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3400
    Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3082
    Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-5238
    Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act


  • May 19, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-8888
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 19, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Richard Blumenthal

Richard Blumenthal

Democratic Senator

Connecticut

Cosponsors (10)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted