Cantwell Chairs Amtrak, NTSB Nominations Hearing
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the below opening statement at the nomination hearing for President Biden’s picks to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
ICYMI: America’s Governors, Mayors and County Officials Call for Railway Safety Act Passage in New Letter to Senate Leadership
This week, leading voices for states and cities, the National Governors Association (NGA), the National League of Cities (NLC) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), sent a letter to Senate leadership urging the passage of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act stating that inaction puts the economic future and safety of their communities at risk the longer the bill waits.
New Map Shows Hazardous Train Derailments Pose an Urgent Threat to Communities
This week, the National League of Cities (NLC) launched an interactive map showing the alarming number of train derailments across the country as the bipartisan Railway Safety Act awaits a vote before the U.S. Senate. The Act, led by Sen. Cantwell and supported by the NLC, aims to improve rail safety and prevent a disastrous train derailment like the disaster in East Palestine, Ohio.
Cantwell-Authored Program to Eliminate Dangerous Traffic-Blocking Rail Crossings in 32 States
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding a total $570 million for projects to eliminate highway-railroad crossings in 32 states including nearly $40.5 million to the City of Washougal, Washington to eliminate one of the busiest BNSF railroad grade crossings in the state. Sen. Cantwell authored the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program and shepherded its passage through Congress as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
‘Rail Town’ Mayors Call for Passage of Railway Safety Act
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, held a press conference with mayors and municipal leaders from railroad communities calling for the Senate to pass legislation to prevent a disastrous train derailment like the one that devastated East Palestine from happening in their cities.
Bipartisan Railway Safety Act Heads to Senate Floor
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 following negotiations led by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Committee, sending the legislation to the Senate floor. The Railway Safety Act of 2023 was introduced by Ohio and Pennsylvania Sens. Sherrod Brown, J.D. Vance, Bob Casey and John Fetterman, along with Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), following the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Cantwell Delivers Opening Statement Before Committee Approves Rail Safety Legislation
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the following remarks at today’s executive session immediately before the Committee approved the Railway Safety Act of 2023. Earlier this week, Sen. Cantwell released a summary of the legislation.
Bipartisan Railway Safety Legislation Heads to Commerce Committee Vote
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, said today that the Committee will vote Wednesday, May 10, on bipartisan railway safety legislation. The Railway Safety Act of 2023 builds upon legislation introduced by Ohio and Pennsylvania Sens. Sherrod Brown, J.D. Vance, Bob Casey and John Fetterman, along with Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), following the devastating train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
ICYMI: Cantwell Outlines Bipartisan Rail Safety Bill Priorities in Remarks to Local Officials From Cities and Towns Across the Country
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, spoke to local government leaders from cities and towns across the country regarding priorities for bipartisan rail safety legislation during a Zoom conference hosted by the National League of Cities.
Cantwell Opening at Rail Safety Hearing: “We Can’t Have Railroads…Focused on Just Cutting Costs to Achieve Higher Profits and Then Have Higher Accident Rates.”
Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, delivered the below opening statement during the hearing on rail safety and the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern February 3rd hazardous East Palestine train derailment. The Committee heard opening remarks from Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and East Palestine resident Misti Allison. The Committee heard testimony and questioned several witnesses, including Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, Ohio Western Reserve Joint Fire District Chief David Comstock, Ohio State SMART-TD Legislative Director Clyde Whitaker and Association of American Railroads CEO Ian Jefferies.