CARNEGIE, PA — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) released the following video statement to mark six months since the toxic derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, just over the state line from Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District.

Rep. Chris Deluzio:

 

“It’s been months since Norfolk Southern’s train derailed just across the border from us in Pennsylvania in East Palestine. “So many folks in Beaver County were hurt, have been evacuated, and have been afraid for their health and their livelihoods.

 

“We are working hard to make sure this railroad is held accountable, and most importantly, for my job as your Member of Congress, that we change the law so that freight rail has to be safer.

 

“It is no mystery what we need to do to make freight rail safer, we have bipartisan, commonsense solutions.

 

“I have Republican and Democratic cosponsors for my bill the Railway Safety Act, and our Senators, Casey and Fetterman are working alongside their Ohio counterparts, to pass in the Senate.

 

“That bill has made its way out of committee in the Senate. I’m hopeful that when we come back to Congress in September we will see it pass out of the Senate, and that we can get it done in the House. It’s important.

 

“This railroad, and so many others, for a long, long time have invested in their stock buybacks, their dividends, their profits, over keeping communities like ours safe.

 

“Well, that’s not acceptable to me. I will be fighting every day I can to hold them accountable, and to make them protect our communities to keep all of you safe.”