Washington, D.C. – Two years ago today, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, less than one mile from the Pennsylvania border. Today, U.S. Senator John Fetterman released the following statement on the derailment and the Railway Safety Act:
“Two years ago, on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, we saw what happens when communities like Darlington Township, Pennsylvania and East Palestine, Ohio are overlooked by leaders in Washington and corporate executives.
“The Norfolk Southern train derailment was an absolute tragedy—one that we could have prevented.
“As a result, I co-led the Railway Safety Act to hold corporations accountable and make sure another disaster like that one never happens again.
“I plan to reintroduce that same bipartisan, bicameral bill this Congress and finally deliver the overdue promise to never leaving communities behind.”
Senator Fetterman was an original co-lead of the Railway Safety Act, joining then-Senators JD Vance (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to introduce the bill in March 2023. That bipartisan bill would have increased penalties for railroads involved in toxic spills and strengthened protections to prevent future train derailments. The bill was passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee last year but did not receive a vote on the floor.
Senator Fetterman also introduced the Railway Accountability Act in March 2023 in response to the Norfolk Southern derailment. The bill included practical railway safety reforms to hold railroads accountable for the safety and well-being of workers and passengers. He also introduced the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act with Senators Casey and Brown, which would have supported first responders on the front lines of hazardous train derailments.
