John Garamendi Congressman California’s Eighth Congressional District | Official Website
Today, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Railway Safety Act in Washington, D.C., marking the second anniversary of the Norfolk Southern train derailment. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08), along with Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Michael Rulli (R-OH-06), are leading this legislative effort aimed at enhancing railway safety standards.
Representative Garamendi emphasized the importance of this legislation by stating, "Two years since the disastrous Norfolk Southern train derailment, there is finally a bipartisan solution that puts the safety of Americans first." He expressed his commitment to ensuring such disasters do not occur again.
Congressman Deluzio highlighted concerns about current rail safety conditions: “It’s been two years since Norfolk Southern’s disastrous derailment in East Palestine, and communities that are close to the tracks are no safer now than they were on the day of that terrifying derailment.” He called for strong rail safety requirements and urged Congress to act decisively.
Representative Rulli described the bill as "a decisive and essential measure to fortify rail safety and protect communities along our nation’s railways." He noted that it reinforces critical safety standards through measures like enshrining a two-person crew rule into law.
John Samuelsen, TWU International President, also voiced support for the bill. “Congress has yet to take significant rail safety action two years since the tragic East Palestine derailment," he said. Samuelsen urged Congress to pass this legislation swiftly.
The Railway Safety Act of 2025 proposes several key measures including requirements for wayside defect detectors, increased fines for violations by rail carriers, enhanced procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, and a permanent requirement for two-person crews on trains. Additionally, it mandates biennial reports from the Secretary on implementing recommendations from the NTSB's final report on the East Palestine Derailment.
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