Ranking Members Larsen and Payne, Jr. Host Roundtable with House Democrats, Rail Workers and Community Members to Advance Rail Safety
Washington, DC - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) are hosting a Democratic roundtable titled, “Listening to Rail Workers and Communities,” where T&I members and Chris Deluzio (D-PA), will hear a range of perspectives from rail workers and community members on the need for Congress to pass rail safety legislation.
Statements from Host Members:
“Today, House Members will hear firsthand from rail workers and community members affected by derailments about why it is so urgent that Congress act on rail safety.” Ranking Member Larsen said. “It has been more than a year since the tragic Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine and Congress still has not passed meaningful rail safety improvements. Instead, the rate of rail accidents per million train miles is increasing. That must change. This critical discussion will help get rail safety legislation back on track.”
“I have a growing concern about the safety and efficiency of freight rail trains and whether the industry is doing everything possible to protect rail workers and the communities they serve,” Ranking Member Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. “Today’s forum will provide an opportunity for the rail workers and communities themselves to discuss whether their industry is safe and, if not, what more needs to be done to keep them safe.”
Statements from Participating Witnesses:
Frank Moran, Mayor, Hiram, Georgia:
“As a small city situated along a Norfolk Southern rail line that is one of their highest traffic routes in the Metro Atlanta area, rail safety is a top priority for our citizens and the over 700 businesses located in Hiram, Georgia. Any legislation concerning train speed and the blocking of rail crossings would be very beneficial to not only our community, but many other areas of the country as well."
Clarence Anthony, Executive Director, National League of Cities:
“Rail safety is Congress’ responsibility, and thousands of local communities are here on Capitol Hill today asking our federal partners in Congress to advance the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. Every resident in cities, towns and villages will sleep better knowing Washington is putting their safety first with common sense rail safety updates that can prevent another horrible derailment like we saw in East Palestine, OH, last year.”
Vince Verna, Vice President & National Legislative Representative, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen:
“In a full year since the accident in East Palestine, Ohio, I thank Ranking Member Larsen and Ranking Member Payne for holding this roundtable to get the rest of Congress moving on rail safety. We do not need to keep piling onto the tally of rail accidents and derailments before action is taken. We’ve seen enough accidents to know we do not want any more and we know what we need to change. Locomotive engineers and trainmen working on America’s freight railroads and the public demand that Congress act. The status quo will not suffice. We will not stop pushing for safer railroads and want to have a year pass with zero employee fatalities. No one should die at work.”
Peter Kennedy, International Representative, Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers – Mechanical Division:
“Rail safety is not a Democratic or a Republican issue. Rail safety is an American issue that needs to be addressed by all legislators, regulatory agencies, and the freight railroads. History has shown that the railroads and Congress have no objections to swiftly passing legislation to prevent labor disputes from disrupting railroad operations and profitability. But history has further shown that the railroads and government fail to timely intervene when action is necessary to promote safety. The vitality of our nation’s economy is directly tied to the integrity of our nation’s freight rail infrastructure, locomotives, rail cars and the skilled workers. We need both sides of the aisle to make freight rail safety a priority. We need meaningful change to the industry. We need Congress to act now, and I thank Ranking Members Larsen and Payne for hosting a round table discussion to discuss ongoing and unaddressed rail safety issues.”
Anna Sevi-Doss, Small Business Owner, East Palestine, Ohio:
"The Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine was more than just a tragic incident; it was a catastrophe that ruptured the fabric of our close-knit community. This event, a result of dangerous and outdated railroad regulations that allowed corporations like Norfolk Southern to act with little regard for the communities in their path, didn't just impact our town – it devastated it. Myself and Americans in similar positions nationwide want to see change immediately."
Statements from Participating Members:
“We must do all we can to improve the safety of our rail system, both to protect rail workers and the communities through which trains run,” Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) said. “I have seen the dangers in companies continuing to prioritize profits over safety and it is vital we take action to hold companies at fault accountable. That starts with listening to the workers and residents directly affected by recent incidents.”
"Freight rail is among the safest and greenest methods of transporting goods, but when something goes wrong, it can be a disaster,” Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) said. “I'm looking forward to discussing how to improve the safety of freight rail with labor and city leaders this afternoon. These discussions are of the utmost importance, especially in the wake of last year's derailment in East Palestine. It's important that we have all the facts as we consider necessary reforms like limiting train lengths and mandating emergency sensors."
“Hearing firsthand from rail workers and community members is critical to enacting rail safety legislation that meets the needs of people and holds the freight rail industry accountable,” Rep. Emilia Sykes said. “This roundtable is an important forum to accomplish that goal. My bipartisan legislation, the RAIL Act, would implement effective measures to keep our communities safe and ensure that no American living close to our 140,000 miles of railroad track has to worry about the threat of a toxic derailment in their backyard.”
Following the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Rep. Sykes introduced bipartisan legislation to address rail safety concerns.
"In the aftermath of the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, neighboring my Western Pennsylvania district, I have been fighting to make rail safer and hold big railroads accountable,” Rep. Deluzio said. “For folks like my constituents, who live near the tracks, and rail workers, rail safety is a major concern. Derailments continue, even in the last year following the East Palestine derailment. Too often, big railroads treat communities like collateral damage in the way of their profits. I am proud to join with rail workers and their unions in my legislative work to improve rail safety, and I look forward to joining the committee’s roundtable today to learn more from rail workers.”
The evacuation following the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, also impacted Rep. Deluzio’s district just across the state border. Representative Deluzio introduced bipartisan legislation to address rail safety concerns.
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