WASHINGTON, DC – Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman today released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio:
“Today marks one year since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, and threatened the health and livelihoods of the surrounding communities, including some in Pennsylvania.
“Let’s be clear: This derailment wasn’t bad luck. It was the result of Norfolk Southern repeatedly putting their profits over the health and safety of the communities that their trains pass through. Communities like Darlington Township, Pennsylvania and East Palestine, Ohio are too often forgotten and overlooked by leaders in Washington and executives at big companies like Norfolk Southern who only care about making their millions.
“It’s past time we stand up and fight for these communities. And it’s time we hold Norfolk Southern accountable. The Railway Safety Act will do just that – I’m proud to co-lead it. This is a good, important, bipartisan bill. It’s a bill so necessary and commonsense that it has the support of both Democrats and Republicans in both chambers, President Biden, and even former President Trump.
“I can’t think of a better way to commemorate the one-year anniversary of this disaster than to pass a bill to ensure it won’t happen again. This shouldn’t be controversial. Let’s get it done.”