Conservative Groups Urge Republicans to Reject Railway Safety Bill

Over a dozen conservative organizations encourage members of Congress not to support a bipartisan railway safety law. This was prompted by the February 3rd train accident that killed a Norfolk Southern train transporting hazardous materials in East Palestine.

FreedomWorks, a conservative advocacy organization, was leading the charge against the organizations. 13th letter (pdf), in which the organizations were charged by FreedomWorks, a conservative advocacy group. “gross inefficiencies” For businesses, gift the Department of Transportation (USDOT). “unimaginable authority.”

The bill—introduced by senators J.D. Vance (R.Ohio), Sherrod brown (D.Ohio), John Fetterman, (D.Penn.).), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)—implements new requirements for trains carrying hazardous materials, including two-person crews, enhanced inspection protocols, emergency response plans, train size and weight regulations, and provision of advanced notice to emergency response officials when trains carrying hazardous substances are traveling through their area.

But the bill leaves the specifics of many of its regulations up to the Transportation Department—a fact that the conservatives argued gives the department too much power.

“Any train with just one car carrying hazardous material would then be considered a ‘hazmat train,’ empowering the USDOT to regulate nearly every aspect of train operations thereafter,” They wrote. “Trains are typically mixed cargo, so such a provision would capture nearly all freight rail traffic.”

The conservatives also maintained that the two-person crew requirement was moot—given that the train that derailed in East Palestine had three operatives—and that the enforcement of minimum inspection times put too much focus on the length of the inspection and not enough on quality.

“Lawmakers would be better served focusing on recovery for the people of East Palestine, including by ensuring railroad Norfolk Southern makes good on their commitments, while also waiting for more details from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to inform any potential future policies,” The advocacy groups argued.

The NTSB stated in its preliminary report that “100 percent preventable” derailment was caused by an overheated wheel bearing—an issue that the bill would address through improved and more frequent monitoring of wheel bearings.

Some Republicans hesitate to back new regulations for the rail industry if there is no final report.

“We’ll take a look at what’s being proposed, but an immediate quick response heavy on regulation needs to be thoughtful and targeted,” Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.The Hill was told by a former rail lobbyist, Senator John Thune (R-S.D. “uncomfortable” Giving is easy “much more power” The Transportation Department.

The conservative groups assured lawmakers that U.S. railways were in closing of their letter. “safe overall” The Railway Safety Act might have unintended consequences that could be damaging to the industry.

“Rail companies would be forced to divert resources away from critical research and development, which could have otherwise been used to advance new technologies and improve efficiency,” The wrote. “Rather than advance this misguided bill, Congress should instead focus on the facts to best protect businesses, consumers, and taxpayers.”

Although some Republicans may not have supported the bill, prominent Democrats such as Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and President Joe Biden support it.

Vance during a Mar. Vance, at a Mar. 9th hearing of Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works tried to rally Republican support to the measure by asking his GOP colleagues to live up their claims of being the “party of working people.”

“We are faced with a choice with this legislation and how we respond to this crisis,” He stated. “Do we do the bidding of a massive industry that is in bed with big government, or do we do the bidding of the people who elected us to the Senate and to the Congress in the first place?

“Although I believe we are the party that works, it is time for us to stop being so. Be The party of the working class. We have a choice. Are we for big government and big business, or the people of East Palestine. We have the freedom to choose. Let’s choose the best one.”