Congressman Seth Moulton (Massachusetts-06), along with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (Washington-01), re-introduced the American High Speed Rail Act of 2026, a landmark piece of legislation that represents a “generational investment in America’s infrastructure, economy, and future.”

The bill authorizes up to $41 billion annually over five years to build a high-speed passenger rail system, putting the United States on par with nations in Europe and Asia that lead the world in modern rail travel.

“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,” Moulton said.

“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,” DelBene said. “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.”

The legislation lays out 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.

Bill Expands Transit-Oriented Development and Accelerates Rail Safety Reforms

The bill also expands transit-oriented development incentives to grow affordable housing and spur commercial development around new rail hubs.

It also takes steps to streamline project delivery by eliminating expenditure timelines, modernizing labor protections, and directing the Department of Transportation to fast-track performance-based safety regulations for advanced technologies already proven in global markets.

The reintroduction comes on the heels of a significant legislative victory for Congressman Moulton last week, when the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved his amendment to include the Railway Safety Act in the surface transportation reauthorization package during the committee’s markup.

The Railway Safety Act strengthens federal oversight of the nation’s rail network by expanding safety requirements for hazardous materials transport, increasing the frequency of safety inspections, and giving regulators stronger tools to hold railroad operators accountable.

It also invests in workforce training and requires the adoption of proven safety technologies — closing critical gaps exposed by recent high-profile derailments.

Alongside Congressman Moulton and Congresswoman DelBene, the American High Speed Rail Act has 48 original cosponsors.