Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act
A Democratic bill with 9 Democratic cosponsors · See all 10 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act," seeks to amend title 49 of the United States Code. It specifically targets Amtrak to prevent the use of certain arbitration agreements. The legislation would prohibit Amtrak from using predispute arbitration agreements for consumer and civil rights disputes with its customers. Additionally, it aims to stop agreements that interfere with a customer's right to participate in joint, class, or collective actions. Under this act, such agreements and waivers would be considered invalid and unenforceable.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +7
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill protects consumers by prohibiting mandatory arbitration and class-action waivers for civil rights and personal injury disputes with Amtrak.
- Scored +6
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill ensures that disputes regarding disability discrimination can be addressed through the court system.
- Scored +6
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill preserves a customer's right to seek judicial recourse for civil rights and personal injury claims instead of being forced into arbitration.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Rights: The bill aims to prohibit predispute arbitration agreements that force arbitration for consumer and civil rights disputes between Amtrak and its customers (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Preservation of Legal Actions: The legislation seeks to prohibit practices that prevent customers from participating in joint, class, or collective actions regarding consumer and civil rights disputes (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Clarification of Dispute Resolution: By declaring certain agreements invalid, the bill ensures that the validity and enforceability of these agreements are determined by a court rather than an arbitrator (Section 2(c)(2)(B)).
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Expanded Scope of Consumer Disputes: The bill defines consumer disputes broadly to include all claims related to personal injuries between Amtrak and its customers (Section 2(b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusion of Certain Disputes: The prohibitions in this section do not apply to any dispute or agreement that is subject to the Railway Labor Act (Section 2(c)(2)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill ensures that disputes regarding disability discrimination can be addressed through the court system. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill protects the ability to litigate civil rights disputes regarding racial discrimination. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill protects the ability to litigate civil rights disputes regarding racial or national origin discrimination. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By allowing class actions, the bill makes it easier for low-income individuals to pursue legal remedies for widespread consumer issues. Would women be better off under this? — The bill protects civil rights claims related to sex and gender identity discrimination. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill protects the civil rights and personal injury claims of older passengers traveling on Amtrak.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill ensures that civil rights disputes involving disability protections can be heard in court rather than through forced arbitration. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill prevents Amtrak from using arbitration to bypass civil rights claims based on race.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill protects consumers by prohibiting mandatory arbitration and class-action waivers for civil rights and personal injury disputes with Amtrak.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill preserves a customer's right to seek judicial recourse for civil rights and personal injury claims instead of being forced into arbitration.
- 5/19/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 10 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts