Reps. Blasdel, McNally Resolution Calls On Congressional Action Addressing Rail Safety
COLUMBUS- State Reps. Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana County) and Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today provided sponsor testimony in the Government Oversight Committee on House Resolution 33 (HR 33). The resolution urges Congress to pass legislation requiring railroads to inform state and local governments when they run hazardous materials through their jurisdictions.
“I have spent much time since the derailment working with the local officials and my constituents to hear their concerns firsthand and voice those concerns to the parties that are involved in the remediation efforts. I have traveled to East Palestine on numerous occasions, and I want the residents to know that I stand firm in providing any support needed in the short and long term,” said Rep. Blasdel during her sponsor testimony. “The disaster in East Palestine has highlighted how impractical and dangerous federal regulations can be. These railroads were not required to notify anyone at the state or local level of what was being transported through our neighborhoods.”
“Railroad tracks run throughout our communities and knowledge is power. It is the power to prevent, to react, and to ensure safety. Right now Ohioans, including their elected leaders and safety responders, have limited knowledge and power when it comes to what’s moving through our own backyards on these railroad tracks, thereby limiting our ability to provide proper and strong prevention and protection against disasters,” said Rep. McNally during her sponsor testimony. “The state and our local communities would be well within our legal rights to create programs, policies and procedures to address this knowledge gap, but those rights have limits. We can’t act more locally without the authority of the federal government. That’s where the relationship between the federal government and state government can be strengthened.”
The bipartisan resolution was introduced by Reps. Blasdel and McNally in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine. East Palestine is in Rep Blasdel’s district and borders Rep. McNally’s.
“I applaud Ohio’s Senate delegation, where last week Senators Vance and Brown introduced the Railway Safety Act of 2023. Among other things, the Act would codify nationally many of the same provisions we added into the Transportation Budget. It would also require railroads to create disaster plans and notably, notify emergency response commissions when hazardous materials are being transported through their state,” said Rep. Blasdel. “Let us signal to Congress the Ohio House of Representatives’ support for important legislation like this, which prioritizes and modernizes our country’s railroad safety regulations.”
“Senators Vance and Brown of our Ohio federal delegation introduced a bill addressing several key regulatory questions that have arisen from the disaster. I’m encouraged by a visible appetite for change on these issues at the Federal level, making HR 33 even timelier,” said Rep. McNally. “As elected members of the Ohio House of Representatives, it is our responsibility to show leadership within the state of Ohio and to those living in our districts. Let’s give Ohioans even more peace of mind and advocacy for their communities by supporting federal efforts.
HR 33 requires several hearings in the Government Oversight Committee before a vote to all members of the Ohio House of Representatives.