Toxic train derailments are hurting our communities

Since February’s toxic train derailment, citizens of East Palestine and CDC investigators tasked with studying the derailment’s health impacts have gotten sick from the hazardous chemicals in the environment. Meanwhile, another train carrying toxic materials derailed in Raymond, Minnesota last week, causing a fire and forcing an evacuation.

The health and safety of Americans in communities like East Palestine and Raymond must be a priority over rail industry profits. Will you write a letter to your lawmakers urging them to pass legislation that would prevent future derailments?

Derailments like this highlight the need to improve rail safety regulations to protect Americans and hold the rail industry accountable. That’s why Representative Chris Deluzio and I have introduced the DERAIL Act, legislation that would broaden the definition of a “high-hazard flammable train” to enforce higher safety standards on our nation’s railways. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group in the Senate has just announced the Railway Safety Act, which would, mandate minimum two-person train crews on all major trains. President Joe Biden strongly supports the legislation, saying it “provides us with tools to hold companies accountable to prevent terrible tragedies like the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine.”

Congress has a responsibility to protect Americans who have felt abandoned and invisible in the wake of this harm and hold these companies accountable by strengthening our nation’s rail safety standards. The passage of both of these bills is essential to better protect communities from derailments.

Tell Congress: Pass legislation to prevent toxic train derailment.

In solidarity,
Ro

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