J.D. Vance’s railway bill gains momentum.

Railway Reform Bill Gains Bipartisan Support

The Background

A train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, 2023, prompted the drafting of the Railway Safety Act of 2023. The accident drew national attention as residents reported symptoms of nausea and dizziness, and regional water supplies across several neighboring states showed signs of contamination. The Department of Transportation and Norfolk Southern, the company that owned and operated the derailed train, were criticized for perceived deficiencies in their safety standards.

The Bill

The bill, championed by freshman Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), aims to “enhance safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials” and would increase inspection requirements, raise fines for safety violations, limit the size of trains, and set a minimum crew size of two certified personnel for all freight trains.

The Support

Vance’s bill has generated considerable bipartisan support. In addition to its Republican cosponsors, Josh Hawley (MO) and Marco Rubio (FL), the Rail Safety Act was also cosponsored by fellow Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D), one of the Senate’s most progressive members, as well as other Rust Belt Democrats Bob Casey and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and President Biden have also signaled their support for the bill.

Former President Trump, Biden’s predecessor and possible opponent in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections, has also lent his support to the bill. Trump visited East Palestine roughly three weeks after the disaster and slammed Biden for failing to do the same. Trump and Vance are close political allies — Trump endorsed Vance in 2022 and the two men toured affected areas in Ohio together after the disaster.

The Opposition

Many conservative groups have come out in opposition to the bill, arguing that it would create “a slew of significant new regulations that would do little to improve safety while creating gross inefficiencies for thousands of businesses.”

“Labor unions would be granted their long-desired wish to permanently freeze current staffing levels into place as it relates to locomotive operations,” FreedomWorks President Adam Brandon wrote in a letter to Congress, undersigned by over 20 conservative leaders. “This widely opposed policy lacks any justification, as shown by the previous administration, and ignores the fact that the train that derailed in Ohio had three people operating the train.”

The Future

If the bill makes its way to President Biden’s desk, it would be the first major piece of legislation passed by the divided 118th Congress. The Midwest has been a pivotal battleground in recent presidential cycles, and neither 2024 contender can afford to lose ground there. Ohio has historically been a vital bellwether state, but has veered deeper into the Republican camp in the last few presidential cycles — President Obama won the state in 2012 by three points, but President Trump carried it by eight in 2020.

The Conclusion

The Railway Safety Act of 2023 has gained significant bipartisan support, with both Democrats and Republicans backing the bill. However, conservative groups have come out in opposition to the bill, arguing that it would create inefficiencies for businesses. The future of the bill remains uncertain, but if it makes its way to President Biden’s desk, it would be the first major piece of legislation passed by the divided 118th Congress.