US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

49 U.S.C. § 11124

War emergencies; embargoes imposed by carriers

(a)
(1)
When the President, during time of war or threatened war, notifies the Board that it is essential to the defense and security of the United States to give preference or priority to the movement of certain traffic, the Board shall direct that preference or priority be given to that traffic.
(2)
When the President, during time of war or threatened war, demands that preference and precedence be given to the transportation of troops and material of war over all other traffic, all rail carriers providing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under this part shall adopt every means within their control to facilitate and expedite the military traffic.
(b)
An embargo imposed by any such rail carrier does not apply to shipments consigned to agents of the United States Government for its use. The rail carrier shall deliver those shipments as promptly as possible.

Pub. L. 104–88, title I, § 102(a)109 Stat. 834 (Added , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

section 11128 of this titlePub. L. 104–88, § 102(a)Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in prior to the general amendment of this subtitle by .

Pub. L. 104–88, § 102(a)Prior sections 11124 to 11128 were omitted in the general amendment of this subtitle by .

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1422 Section 11124, , , , related to rerouting traffic on failure of rail carrier to serve the public.

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1423 Pub. L. 98–216, § 2(15)98 Stat. 5 Pub. L. 103–272, § 5(m)(28)108 Stat. 1378 Section 11125, , , ; , , ; , , , related to directed rail transportation.

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1424 Pub. L. 103–272, § 5(m)(29)108 Stat. 1378 Section 11126, , , ; , , , related to distribution of coal cars.

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1424 Pub. L. 99–521, § 9(b)(1)100 Stat. 2997 Section 11127, , , ; , (2), , , related to service of household goods freight forwarders.

Pub. L. 95–47392 Stat. 1425 section 11124 of this titleSection 11128, , , , related to war emergencies and embargoes imposed by carriers. See .

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 104–88section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88section 1301 of this titleSection effective , except as otherwise provided in , see , set out as a note under .