Issue Position: Transportation - Rail

Issue Position

The rail industry is another crucial link in Idaho's transportation system and economy. I have worked closely with rail labor and management to promote the amicable resolution of outstanding issues. I voted for H.R. 1140, the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act in August. It provides for immediate enhanced Tier II (pension) benefits for those who receive railroad retirement benefits and reduces taxes for railroad employers and possibly for railroad employees as well. The bill does this by increasing earnings by investing the railroad retirement trust fund balance in a diversified portfolio. The current system is limited to investing rail retirement assets in comparatively lower-yielding U.S. government securities. All railroad retirement benefits remain guaranteed by law. Tier I of the railroad retirement program functions similarly to Social Security and is not affected by the bill.

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