Senators JD Vance (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with Senators Rubio (R-FL), Hawley (R-MO), Casey (D-PA), and Fetterman (D-PA), introduced legislation, The Railway Safety Act of 2023, on March 1st. This comes after February 18th when Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), and John Fetterman (D-PA) sent letters to Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), Norfolk Southern Corporation President and CEO Alan Shaw, Governor Mike DeWine, and other agencies highlighting rail safety concerns the senators have heard from constituents, rail experts and railroad workers as the NTSB conducts its investigation of the East Palestine derailment. These Senators also sent letters to NTSB and EPA raising concerns and calling on the agencies to investigate and provide assistance to the East Palestine community. Sen. Brown also wrote a letter to the CDC requesting the agency act immediately to provide additional assistance and resources to help the community assess and address the public health impacts of the derailment.
The bill faces some Republican criticism due to the proposed increase in regulation and proposed increases in power and funding for the Department of Transportation headed by Pete Buttigieg. President Biden has issued a statement in support of the legislation.
A summary of the bill can be found HERE. The full text of bill can be read HERE.
