Ohio train derailment: East Palestine awaits Biden’s reply, Vance says.

Sen. J.D. Vance Criticizes Biden Administration’s Response⁢ to Ohio ⁢Train Derailment

Six months after a fiery train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, left some ⁤residents concerned ​about contaminated air ⁢and water, Sen. J.D. Vance‌ (R-OH) renewed his criticism of how the Biden administration has responded to the tragedy.

“Not only ⁤has Joe Biden refused to visit East Palestine, but he has also refused to grant critical assistance to the recovery effort,” Vance wrote in a Columbus​ Dispatch‌ op-ed.

Vance highlighted that Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) had requested a major ⁤disaster declaration from the president, but it had been ignored. He emphasized the importance of this declaration, stating that it would guarantee the delivery of resources needed to save the community.

Clean-up Efforts and Urgent ⁤Need⁣ for Action

During his visit to East Palestine, Vance ⁤criticized the clean-up ‌efforts overseen by officials⁣ with‌ the Environmental‍ Protection Agency. He expressed his growing anger as improvements were not ‍being made and emphasized the urgency of ​removing the hazardous waste from the community.

“No one can expect the people of East Palestine to return to normal until the hazardous waste ⁣in their ⁣backyard ⁤is gone for good,” Vance wrote.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) also ⁢joined Vance in urging the administration to do more. He called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond to the state’s request to designate East Palestine a disaster and requested a detailed list of actions taken and funding provided by the federal‍ government.

Biden’s Response to Other Disasters

Biden’s response to‌ another disaster, the wildfires in Hawaii, has also attracted criticism. The president has no plans to visit the disaster area but intends to ‌go on vacation in Nevada.​ In‍ contrast, the administration has requested $13 million in disaster relief for Hawaii.

Advancing Railway Safety Legislation

Vance addressed​ his push to advance railway safety legislation in order to prevent future dangerous​ train derailments. His bill aims to‌ raise safety standards for rail companies and increase fines for infractions. However, the bill has faced opposition from the business community and some Senate⁣ Republicans.

Vance ⁣expressed⁤ his disappointment⁣ with colleagues in⁢ his party who have⁣ defended the railroad industry and hindered safety improvements. While he has garnered⁣ some Republican⁤ support, ‌the bill‌ still faces the ​possibility of being ‍filibustered on the floor.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell ‌(R-KY) has not taken a position on the legislation, stating that he has not made a decision‍ on whether to support it.

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