Fetterman calls on Senate to pass rail safety bill 3 years after toxic derailment near Ohio-Pa. line

On the third anniversary of an Ohio toxic train derailment just over the Pennsylvania line, Sen. John Fetterman is demanding that Congress act on a bipartisan railroad safety bill languishing in committee.

“As I’ve said before, this derailment was a tragedy, and it’s something we could have prevented,” said Fetterman on Tuesday. “Three years later and Congress still hasn’t done right by these communities.”

Fetterman, then-Republican Sen. JD Vance and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, both of Ohio, introduced the Railway Safety Act in the Senate in March 2023 after the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Poisonous fumes and leaks enveloped the town and toxic clouds drifted east into Pennsylvania to impact Darlington Township and other areas in Beaver County.

The train was headed to a large railyard in Conway in Beaver County.

Fetterman’s statement said the bill would increase penalties for railroads responsible for toxic spills and strengthen protections to prevent future derailments.

The bill was passed by the Senate Commerce Committee last year but did not get a floor vote.

“I renew my call for my colleagues to join me in passing commonsense legislation, including the Railway Safety Act, to make East Palestine, Darlington Township and all our communities safer,” said Fetterman.

Pittsburgh-area Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio, whose district includes Beaver County, released a video on Monday coinciding with the three-year anniversary of the derailment.

Deluzio also urged Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act, which he introduced in the House.

“We have to make rail safer and not shy from a righteous fight for our safety. The way I see it, this is a battle of corporate power versus the rest of us who live or work around the tracks. I am in this fight for as long as it takes,” said Deluzio in the video.

“And to President Trump and Vice President Vance,” he said, “you and your party control every lever of power in Washington today. One word from you, and you could get the Republican-led Congress to pass the strongest rail safety legislation in history. So why won’t you do it? It’s been three years. It’s time to make rail safer. Let’s get it done.”