Why It Matters

CSX Corp. has added Continental Strategy LLC to its federal lobbying team, according to a new railroad lobbying registration filed April 29, 2026. The CSX lobbying disclosure covers transportation issues broadly, adding a fourth external firm to a lobbying operation that already spans multiple firms and an in-house team.

The company has maintained a sustained, multi-firm presence in Washington for years. Adding Continental Strategy signals an expansion of that infrastructure, not a pivot. The railroad operates in a policy environment where several major legislative vehicles are moving simultaneously, including surface transportation reauthorization, tax policy, cargo security, and broadband permitting. CSX's CSX legislative advocacy now spans five organizations, suggesting the company is investing in a broader reach ahead of a consequential legislative period.

By the Numbers

CSX runs a significant dual-track lobbying operation, combining in-house staff with multiple external firms.

In-house team (CSX Corp.):

External firms:

Across filings from the past year, CSX disclosed more than $6.8 million in total lobbying expenditures. The in-house operation alone reported figures ranging from $251,005 in the fourth quarter of 2025 to $1,436,000 in the third quarter of 2025. Smith-Free Group reported a consistent $70,000 per quarter on CSX's behalf.

The three lobbyists named in the Continental Strategy registration are Craig Carbone, Doug MacGillivray, and Carlos Trujillo. Carbone previously served as Chief of Staff to Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), giving the new team a direct Republican Senate connection.

The Agenda

The new registration lists transportation as the sole issue area. No specific legislation or issues are identified in the filing itself. Based on prior disclosures, CSX has been active across several distinct policy lanes.

Transportation reauthorization has been a consistent focus. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's surface transportation authorization expires September 30, 2026, making this a high-priority window for rail interests. CSX has previously lobbied on the S.2520 - All Aboard Act of 2025 and the S.187 - ALIGN Act, both of which are relevant to rail investment and tax treatment of capital expenditures.

Cargo theft has also featured prominently in recent filings. CSX has lobbied on the S.1404 - Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would create a new federal coordination center for organized theft and allow prosecutors to aggregate theft incidents across state lines.

Tax policy has been another lane, with prior filings referencing H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation bill that became law in July 2025, on issues including bonus depreciation and corporate SALT.

Broadband permitting has also appeared, with the H.R. 6046 - Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act referenced in multiple filings. The bill would streamline the process for broadband providers to deploy equipment within railroad rights-of-way.

Between the Lines

Congressional engagement on rail issues has been active in recent months.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials held a hearing on May 6, 2025, titled "America Builds: Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Rail Assistance," during which Rep. Patrick Ryan (D-NY-18) specifically mentioned CSX freight operations in his district and raised crossing safety concerns.

At a Senate Commerce Committee nominations hearing on May 13, 2025, CSX came up in the context of the Federal Railroad Administration administrator nomination. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) questioned nominee David Fink about the condition of Pan Am Railways infrastructure when CSX acquired it, citing CSX's own CEO testimony about the state of the track.

On the member communications front, Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC-7), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, visited CSX's Davis Yard in August 2025, calling freight rail "vital" to keeping the country "connected and competitive." Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced in December 2025 that CSX agreed to repair the Gillett Road Bridge in Monroe County, New York, following sustained pressure from his office.

The H.R. 2853 - Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, the House companion to S.1404, advanced to floor consideration after being reported from committee on January 30, 2026.

Competitive Landscape

CSX is not alone in the transportation industry lobbying space. The Association of American Railroads has been actively pushing for CORCA passage, publishing a dedicated fact sheet and issue page on cargo theft. The Rail Passengers Association has also flagged rail infrastructure and broadband connectivity as active 2025 legislative priorities.

Continental Strategy's broader client portfolio includes transportation-adjacent work. The firm registered HNTB Corp., an infrastructure engineering firm, as a transportation client in 2025, and has represented Miami-Dade County on transportation and seaport issues. The firm's Florida roots and Republican Senate connections may give CSX additional reach in that corridor.

The Bottom Line

CSX is broadening its lobbying team at a moment when several policy fronts are moving at once. The addition of Continental Strategy, with its Florida and Republican Senate ties, adds to an already substantial operation. The transportation industry lobbying registration covers broad ground, and prior disclosures show CSX has been active on reauthorization, cargo theft, tax provisions, trade, and broadband. With the surface transportation authorization expiring in September 2026, the next several months represent a meaningful window for freight rail interests to shape the next round of federal investment.

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