Rep. Sykes Helps Advance Bipartisan Transportation Reauthorization Through Two House Committees

May 22, 2026 Rep. Sykes Helps Advance Bipartisan Transportation Reauthorization Through Two House Committees WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted in both the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology to advance critical transportation legislation, including many of her bills and priorities. H.R. 8748, the BUILD America 250 Act now heads to the full House for consideration. “In Ohio, we are affectionately known as the heart of it all, and a big reason why is our transportation network that connects us to the rest of the country,” said Rep. Sykes. “ I am proud to have championed several key initiatives in this bill that will strengthen Northeast Ohio’s infrastructure by increasing rail safety standards, improving emergency response preparedness, and protecting our communities.” The BUILD America 250 Act : Strengthens Research and Innovation: Locks in federal investment through FY2031 across a broad range of transportation Research & Development — from highway and intermodal innovation, to university partnerships, open research, and rail programs. Bolsters Transportation Data: Establishes a new Transportation Statistics Coordination Council that would improve departmental coordination, setting shared standards and improving how DOT collects, secures, and uses data across its agencies. Analyzing Emerging Technology and Innovation: Directs DOT to study the safety impacts of emerging vehicle headlamp technologies, including LED and matrix LED systems, with a focus on driver visibility, glare exposure, and broader roadway safety. Builds Infrastructure to Last: Requires a national strategy on reclaimed asphalt pavement for smarter, sustainable, more durable road materials. Enhances Rail Safety: Expands rail research to tackle the infrastructure safety demands of a rapidly evolving transportation landscape. This includes research into safety standards for hazardous materials on freight rail so we can prevent disasters, like what happened in East Palestine, from happening again. REP. SYKES’ PRIORITIES INCLUDED IN THE BILL The legislation reauthorizes several critical transportation programs, and includes several rail safety priorities championed by Rep. Sykes following the 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The bill includes provisions to: Strengthen hazardous materials placard standards to ensure emergency information remains legible during rail accidents involving fires; Require a minimum of two-person crews for all Class I freight and passenger trains; Codify the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee; Increase civil penalties for railroad safety violations; Accelerate the phase-out of unsafe tank cars; Establish a hazardous materials training grant program for first responders; Update and distribute vent-and-burn emergency response guidance following recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board’s East Palestine investigation; Require railroad corporations to provide notification in advance to pertinent to State emergency response commissioners, tribal emergency response commission, or any other State or tribal agency regarding the transportation of hazardous materials; and Strengthen regulations to prevent wheel bearing failures, which caused the East Palestine train derailment. Rep. Sykes also fought for several other key provisions of the bill to improve infrastructure for Northeast Ohio, including: Add eligibility and funding for Safety Improvement on Public Transit Systems in the Urban Area Formula Grants; Support the Build America, Buy America Act ; Reauthorize the Safer Streets for All Program; Streamline environmental processes and permitting for smaller projects; Create a working group that would evaluate bus workforce barriers; Create a grant program for safety improvements on public transit systems; and Reauthorize the Highway Safety Improvement Program. BRINGING PASSENGER RAIL TO OH-13 Rep. Sykes also introduced an amendment, which was adopted, that would require the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct a feasibility study to expand passenger rail service to Akron and Canton. “For far too long, the Akron-Canton region has been left out of conversations about expanding passenger rail service, despite the enormous economic and transportation opportunities it could bring to our communities,” said Rep. Sykes. “Securing this feasibility study requirement is an important and long-overdue first step toward connecting our region to expanded intercity passenger rail service. Improved rail access has the potential to boost economic development, create jobs, increase tourism, and provide residents with more affordable and reliable transportation options. I have consistently fought to ensure Akron and Canton have a seat at the table in Ohio’s transportation future, and I will continue working alongside local, state, and federal partners to move this effort forward.” Currently, the announced Amtrak 3-C+D and Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit Corridor plans do not adequately serve Eastern Ohio, leaving behind a significant population that could benefit from the inclusion of passenger rail. The Akron-Canton region is the fourth largest region in Ohio and the only large metropolitan area without a proposed passenger rail line. This feasibility study is a big, long-awaited first step in what is required to bring passenger rail to the Akron-Canton region. Rep. Sykes has long fought for this feasibility study and advocated for the expansion of passenger rail to this region. In September, she sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Pamela Boratyn expressing concern for the lack of inclusion of a feasibility study of a passenger rail stop in the Akron-Canton region in the draft of the 2025 State of Ohio Rail Plan. Last May, Rep. Sykes questioned Matthew Dietrich, Executive Director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission, on this topic during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials titled “America Builds: Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Rail Assistance.” During the 118th Congress, Rep. Sykes sent a letter to Congressional leadership in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives expressing strong support for the expansion of Amtrak service in the Akron-Canton Region. Rep. Sykes also led a letter in the 118th Congress that was signed by Ohio delegation members Reps. Marcy Kaptur (OH-11), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Greg Landsman (OH-01) urging then-Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks to include a passenger rail service development plan for a stop in the Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK) or another location in the Akron-Canton area in the 2024 State of Ohio Transportation Plan. REP. SYKES’ AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL Rep. Sykes offered an amendment to include her newly introduced Truck Stop Safety Act , legislation to expand access to critical safety information at truck stops and rest areas nationwide. The amendment was adopted. The bill applies to federally funded projects involving the construction, reopening, or improvement of roadside facilities. It requires clear, visible signage with information on human trafficking awareness — including warning signs and reporting resources — as well as suicide prevention support through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, emphasizing that services are free, confidential, and available 24/7. Rep. Sykes offered the following amendments that were adopted: Add the Truck Stop Safety Act, which would require truck stops to prominently display information on the National Human Trafficking Hotline and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; Order the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct a feasibility study to expand passenger rail service to Akron and Canton; and Expand Department of Transportation research on human trafficking across transportation networks to ensure our roads and railways are safe for all. Additionally, Rep. Sykes offered the following amendments that were not adopted: Authorize funding for Amtrak to expand service to the Akron-Canton region; Require a report to Congress detailing what projects have had their funds withheld, terminated, or are required to change their original scope, and why; and Add language to prioritize CRISI; Bus and Bus Facilities; and Railroad Grade Crossings Grant applications for projects located in “Areas of Persistent Poverty.” Separately, Rep. Sykes led the research portions of the BUILD America 250 Act during markup in the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, where the legislation was approved and reported out of committee. Print Email Share Tweet