Robb Blasdel's Resolution to Address Rail Safety Passes Ohio House

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Resolution 33 on Thursday, which urges Congress to address rail safety in Ohio. State Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana County) is a joint sponsor of the bipartisan resolution and has spearheaded the legislation after the train derailment in East Palestine within her district.

“After visiting East Palestine on several occasions and speaking with the residents, their safety has been my number priority,” said Robb Blasdel. “I’m committed to supporting this community. This is why we’re taking action at the Statehouse today urging Congress to address these long overdue railroad safety issues.”

The resolution urges Congress to pass legislation requiring railroad companies to inform local and state governments when trains are carrying potentially hazardous materials through their area.

“Despite the train carrying 20 cars that held hazardous materials, it was not considered a ‘high hazard flammable train’ by federal regulations, so the railroads were not required to notify anyone at the state or local level of what was being transported through our neighborhoods,” Robb Blasdel added. “It is essential that Congress reassesses these conditions and demand the transparency of valuable safety information. We have a right to know what is traveling through our hometowns and must be immediately able to respond to any breach of these materials, as we saw in East Palestine.”

Outside of joint sponsoring this resolution, the representative also supported the historic transportation budget that included several train safety measures.

Watch Robb Blasdel’s House floor speech on the resolution here.