The Bipartisan Rail Safety Bill Is A Reasonable Response To East Palestine Crisis

Today, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are pushing for a bipartisan rail safety bill aimed at preventing future derailments like the recent one in East Palestine, Ohio. The bill is co-sponsored by Democratic Sens. Sherrod Brown, John Fetterman, and Bob Casey, as well as Republican Sens. J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, and Josh Hawley. Although the legislation is complex and requires industry expertise to fully evaluate its merits, it includes some reasonable measures that could help prevent future train accidents.

The rail industry’s latest data shows that derailment rates have gone down significantly since 2000. However, this rate was up by 5% year-over-year, and derailments in the U.S. are more common than other countries like the EU and Japan, according to a fact sheet circulated by Vance’s office. While no rail system can ever be completely safe and the transportation of hazardous chemicals always involves risk, the question is whether the current risk is too high and if there is more that can be done to bring it down.

The Vance bill proposes some reasonable measures, including a two-person crew requirement, which is important for mitigating risks in cases like the East Palestine derailment, as well as for preventing other such accidents. Additionally, the Department of Transportation’s empowerment in the bill appears modest and within the realistic scope of federal oversight.

The bill’s provisions have been met with criticism from some quarters, but the fact is that the government has a duty to check big business interests when oversight is warranted, and this is one such case. While the Vance bill may not be perfect right now, it provides a thoughtful and targeted approach to enhance rail safety and is a reasonable response to the East Palestine crisis.

It’s important to note that regulating the rail industry is complex and requires expertise, which is scarce in both the media and Congress. But as an industry that handles life-and-death situations daily and is extensively subsidized by the government, there is a need for better oversight, especially when profits are prioritized over people and safety.

The Vance bill is a crucial step towards improving rail safety and preventing future accidents, while also ensuring that the government holds big business interests accountable. However, it’s important to approach it thoughtfully and with targeted regulation instead of hastily passing bad legislation that creates a false sense of catharsis.