(C) Common Dreams
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Senate Republicans and Democrats Propose Rail Safety Bill [1]
['Stephanie Lai']
Date: 2023-03-01
WASHINGTON — A group of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate has proposed legislation to mandate that the Transportation Department tighten safety rules for freight rail, the first glimmer of bipartisan activity on the issue since a train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, last month.
The measure by Senators Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and J.D. Vance, a Republican, both of Ohio, would strengthen notification and inspection requirements for trains carrying hazardous materials, increase fines for safety violations by rail carriers and authorize $27 million for research on safety improvements. But it would stop short of dictating major regulatory changes, leaving the matter to the Transportation Department.
The bipartisan nature of the bill — which is co-sponsored by Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Josh Hawley of Missouri, both Republicans — indicates that it may be able to gain traction in the Senate, where most major legislation needs 60 votes to advance. But it is not clear whether the measure can draw support in the Republican-led House.
“It shouldn’t take a massive railroad disaster for elected officials to put partisanship aside and work together for the people we serve — not corporations like Norfolk Southern,” Mr. Brown said in a statement, referring to the derailed train’s operator. “Rail lobbyists have fought for years to protect their profits at the expense of communities like East Palestine and Steubenville and Sandusky.”
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[1] Url:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/us/politics/senate-rail-safety-legislation.html
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