Discussing the Railway Safety Act with Congressman Troy Nehls
Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by Congressman Troy Nehls, co-author of the pending bipartisan Railway Safety Act, which is included in the Build America 250 Act. Together they discuss the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and the Sub-Committee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials; as well as their oversight of PHMSA, the STB, FRA and Amtrak; and they do a deep dive into the Build America 250 Act (aka the Surface Transportation Bill), the Railway Safety Act, and much more! Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railroading! You can find this episode and more on the American Railroading Podcast's official website at www.AmericanRailroading.net , and watch our YouTube Channel at the link below. Welcome aboard!
- The American Railroading Podcast is ranked in the Top 5% of all podcasts in the world, now downloaded in 102 countries, on 45 different platforms!
- Congressman Troy Nehls served 21 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and 30 years in law enforcement before running for Congress.
- Congressman Nehls is the first elected official from DC on the American Railroading Podcast!
- The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in Congress has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation: aviation, maritime and waterborne transportation, highways, bridges, mass transit, and railroads.
- The Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials has jurisdiction over the economic and safety regulation of railroads, the transportation of hazardous materials, and the issue of pipeline safety.
- The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over the agencies that administer these regulations including PHMSA, the STB, the FRA and Amtrak.
- The current Crisi grant program expires at the end of 2026. The program has been approved to continue in the bipartisan Build Back America 250 Act, but the money to fund it has not yet been appropriated by the Ways and Means Committee.
- Congressman Nehls would like to see LNG shipped in rail tank cars. Don agreed and commented that it was once approved as a PHMSA ruling under HM-264, but it got overturned by a court ruling. Don would like to see PHMSA revisit a ruling to allow the shipping of LNG in a rail tank car, and Troy agreed.
- The Build America 250 Act, which includes the Railway Safety Act amendment, received nearly unanimous bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, but it now waits in the Ways and Means Committee before it can go to the Senate for approval. Congressman Nehls committed to getting it through the House and Senate and on the President’s desk for his signature by the end of the year (2026).
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Congressman of the Texas 22nd Congressional District
Congressman Troy E. Nehls proudly represents the 22nd Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. Texas’ 22nd Congressional District includes portions of Fort Bend, Brazoria, Harris, Wharton, and Matagorda counties. Prior to his election to Congress, Troy served our district for nearly 30 years in law enforcement and served our country 21 years in the US Army Reserve.
At the age of 19, Troy enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve. He deployed on combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, among other places. After 21 years of service, he retired with the rank of Major and as the recipient of two Bronze Star medals. Back home, Troy continued his service through law enforcement, a multi-generational tradition for his family.
In 1994, Troy began his law enforcement service with Fort Bend ISD. He spent the next twenty-six years serving Fort Bend County in various law enforcement roles. From 2004 to 2012, he served two terms as the elected Constable for Ft. Bend County Pct. 4. After two successful terms as Constable, Troy was elected as Fort Bend County Sheriff in 2012. In 2016, Troy was re-elected and completed his second term in December 2020.
Troy was officially sworn in as Congressman for Texas’ 22nd District on January 3rd, 2021. Troy received his bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and his master’s degree from the University of Houston Downtown. He resides in Richmond with his wife, Jill, and their daughters, Jenna, Cambry, and Tori.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
Chairman, Subcommittee on Aviation