Rep. Sykes Co-Leads Bipartisan Railroad Safety Enhancement Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) joined Reps. Troy Nehls (TX-22), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and Chris Deluzio (PA-17) in introducing the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act, bipartisan legislation that builds on Rep. Sykes’ RAIL Act to improve rail safety, hold negligent rail corporations accountable, and keep our communities safe.
“Ohioans from across the political spectrum have consistently called for legislation to prevent train derailments in our communities since the tragic accident in East Palestine last year. In continuing with my efforts to honor the will of the people and pass commonsense rail safety legislation, I’m glad to partner with Reps. Moulton, Nehls, and Deluzio on the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act. This bipartisan legislation contains many of the same provisions that were in my RAIL Act, and will similarly improve rail safety, hold negligent rail corporations accountable, and keep our communities safe. This legislation is long overdue, and I hope to see this bill move quickly through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,” said Rep. Sykes.
Read the entire bill here, and a summary of the bill can be found here.
During today’s House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Hearing on “Examining the State of Rail Safety in the Aftermath of the Derailment in East Palestine, Ohio,” Rep. Sykes again renewed her calls for Congress to swiftly pass rail safety legislation. She also reiterated her request for Alan Shaw, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern, to be called before the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to answer questions regarding the derailment in East Palestine and Norfolk Southern's participation in the NTSB investigation.
Watch Rep. Sykes’ full remarks HERE.
As the only Ohioan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Sykes has continuously called for the House of Representatives to take action on improving rail safety since the train derailment in East Palestine occurred in February 2023. She introduced the bipartisan RAIL Act in March 2023, which was supported by 11 members of the Ohio delegation.