In the hopes of preventing another disastrous train derailment like the one caused by Norfolk Southern which spewed toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) has filed legislation to hike fines on rail companies, tighten safety protocols, and properly notify local first responders.
Now, a host of beltway groups, including one partially funded by Norfolk Southern and others with financial ties to the Koch network, are looking to tank Vance’s legislation.
Vance has successfully brokered the legislation in the Senate with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) as a co-author and Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Bob Casey (D-PA) as co-sponsors.
Most significantly, Vance has told Breitbart News, the legislation would make modest but prominent changes to rail safety regulations like requiring bearing defect detectors every 10 miles….
