After Ohio Train Derailment, Senators Propose Rail Safety Bill

The official response to the derailment has been characterized by intense partisanship, with Republicans criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the derailment and subsequent ecological disaster and savaging the president and Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary. Democrats have pointed to the Trump administration loosening safety regulations.

Lawmakers from both parties have escalated their responses to the disaster. Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, called on the chief executive of Norfolk Southern, Alan Shaw, to testify on Capitol Hill. Mr. Shaw confirmed on Wednesday that he would voluntarily testify to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on March 9, according to a company spokeswoman.

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee started an investigation into the Biden administration’s handling of the derailment, while two other panels — Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce — have formally requested information.

Mr. Schumer on Wednesday praised the forthcoming bill, saying he was hopeful that Republicans and Democrats could agree on a legislative response to last month’s derailment.

“In the aftermath of the terrible accident in East Palestine, this is precisely the kind of proposal we need to see in Congress: a bipartisan rail safety bill, one that includes provisions relevant to the accident that happened a month ago,” he said, adding that he would do “whatever I can” to make sure it passed the Senate and could clear Congress.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/us/politics/senate-rail-safety-legislation.html