U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, applauded today’s House introduction of the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2024, led by House Transportation and Infrastructure Railroad Subcommittee leaders Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Rep Seth Moulton (D-Mass.). The legislation is nearly identical to the Railway Safety Act, which the Senate Commerce Committee passed in May 2023.

“I am pleased members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced legislation nearly identical to the Railway Safety Act,” said Sen. Cantwell. “The NTSB’s findings make clear that the East Palestine derailment could have been prevented. The Railway Safety Act requires technologies to detect problems before they cause a derailment, adds safeguards for trains transporting flammable gas, increases penalties for safety violations and gives communities more resources to prepare for derailments. Congress needs to act on rail safety.”